Life...

One of my favourite storys. And oh so true!



When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous "yes".

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - your God, your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favourite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal." Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Maroon 5

Well yesterday was my 2nd Birthday this year. My 1st Birthday was back in October, but my Gift from Ben was a meal out at Chicago Rock and then Tickets to see Maroon 5 at Nottingham Ice Arena on the opening night of the tour.

Well, Chicago Rock phoned Ben last week to say that they had ceased trading and so we booked a table at Santa Fe instead. It was delicious. I had sticky beef strips to start served on a potato rosti, yum yum. And then I went for the spice rubbed steak and fries. Of course there were a few cocktails in there too for good measure! Ben's mum and dad came and joined us for the meal too. It was a nice, relaxing meal with good conversation and lots of laughs.



Then me and Ben headed off to the concert and oh my! I am in love with Adam Levine. I mean I was in love with him before but now it is obsession type love. His voice was AMAZING. I can't explain how good it was. The songs on the album do not do his voice justice. every note was crystal clear and he was jumping all over the stage throughout. The band were fantastic too. What an unbelievable show. Even Ben was impressed and he only went along because I liked them! If you get a chance to go see them live, I would seriously recommend it!

I had an amazing night, and I just want to take this opportunity to say a great big thank you to Ben. I love you so much!
xxx

My Friend, Gym

Not got much to say but thought I would drop by. I'm just busy working away at my University work. It all has to be handed in on December 14th! I'm also planning an Anne Summers Party as I mentioned before. I'm really looking forward to it. Its been a long time since I've had some close 'girl' friends, never mind a girly night in with them all.

Oh, I joined a gym yesterday too, Fitness First. Its 5 minutes walk from where I work and it costs me absolutely nothing! Yes, thats right. My company have signed up for corporate membership so the only thing I pay for is the tax, and that will be no more than £3 a month! Woo hoo, free gym membership. I probably wont get round to going before christmas, what with all my university work and stuff, but when those new years resolutions kick in i will be ready to go. Plus I have a holiday booked and a wedding in the summer that it would be nice to shed a few pounds and tone up a bit for.

Ah well, back to work I suppose, speak to you soon!
xx

Catch up!

Gosh, I can't believe I haven't posted here in so long. I've been up to a lot I can tell you!

First of all doesn't time just fly. It's been over four months since I started my new job and its going along just fine. They are giving me lots of responsibility (project management, site organisation, etc) and they have sent me back to University to complete my Masters in Civil Engineering.

What else has happened? Oh yeah me and Ben moved house. Its gorgeous! its a brand new 3 bedroom town house in Burton upon Trent (a quaint little town that smells like Marmite!). That was 2 and a half months ago now. We are all settled in nicely, just busy getting on with our busy little lives.

As for my social life, well, I have never had it so busy. I've been to another Wedding, I have had nights out in Manchester, trips back up to Hartlepool, days out at Aston Martin Race days, I've done a night shift in a tunnel with a dead dog (don't ask) and lately we have been for a long weekend in Centre Parcs. And as for the lead up to Christmas.....well, what can i say! I'm not sure how i am going to fit it all in, along with completing all my university work! We have a premier to go to, 2 gigs in one week (Pendulum and Maroon 5), then I am hosting an Anne Summers Party!

Well there should be lots of photo opportunities over the next few months! I'll leave you with a pic of me and Ben at Hugh Battery in Hartlepool!