Book Review: A Conversation with God

A Conversation with God

If You Could Ask God Any Question, What Would It Be?

by Alton Gansky

I received this complimentary book from Thomas Nelson publication, courtesy of Booksneeze.com. My head was brimming with questions and if I would find the answers in the book. I had to find that out.

This is a question and answer book about the many aspects of one's spirituality and God. It dabbles on God, the bible, the future, our pain and sufferings, Jesus, the Kingdom of God, heaven and hell, humanity, Christian living and the world as we know in the present times.

The questions asked in the book are quite common. I am sure that some of you may have questions which you never dare to ask your priest nor minister but if you get a hold of this book, you may just find the answers to your questions. I, at one point, have even encountered some of them but never quite knew the answers. So, this book presented me with possible answers which I thought I would never come to know. Sample of questions in the book which gave light to my curiosity are:

* God, who are You? What are You?
* Are we living in the end times now?
* Why are some people rich and others poor?
* God, do you truly care for everyone?
* Why does sin still plague us?

The "conversations" in the book is like having a nice chit-chat with God over a cup of coffee as "He" answers our questions in the context of the scripture. It is like when you pray in silence and you hear Him speak to you only this time, you read them.

The author, Mr. Alton Gansky, has succeeded on his undertaking to "not confine" this wonderful book for the enjoyment of theologians but even for the common Joe and Jane. Each chapters were designed to be short so readers can read as many or as few as he/she wants in single seating. Also, the author ensured that proper scriptural reference is noted at the back of the book to allow readers to check out the Bible verses on their own.

The book is printed in high-quality and glossy paper and has 304 pages in total. I consider this book as revealing and yet gives you something to reflect on regardless of your spiritual orientation. I really enjoyed reading this book.

The book can be read in any order unlike other typical books where you have to start from the cover up to the very end. I like it that the author presented the book in that manner so when you have a nagging curiosity to check out the other chapters of the book, you may do so without feeling the guilt of jumping conclusions because there are none. The only conclusion in this book is that when you "ask, it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com; book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

Lady Liberty

I remember dreaming about setting foot at Staten Island where the Liberty Statue is situated. I was five years old when I listed it in one of the places I would see when I grow up. And I did!

I never thought I would actually visit New York and some of the famous landmarks of the beautiful state of the US of A. I am very happy and privileged to be an airline staff because I get to afford all the travels my family make.

New York is such a magnet. I am drawn to it despite the negative comments of some people who have been there. I still find the place easy to navigate and everything can be accessed by train or on foot.

I miss the place. I can't wait to visit the place again. I hope very soon!

Decreasing Term Life Insurance

Consumers are faced with various insurance products to avail depending on their needs, financial capabilities and lifestyle. One of the insurance scheme in the market is the decreasing term life insurance. This kind of insurance scheme is also known as mortgage protection assurance.

The decreasing term life insurance starts with a high face value and a low premium. Policy holders who have mortgages buy this kind of insurance to ensure that their loans are covered as well in the event of death or disability.

Shopping Again!

It's been a long time since I went on a shopping spree. I was very diligent paying my credit cards and successfully closed most of them. Now, I am enjoying the little extra I have to buy gifts and stuff for my family and friends back home.

I bought a lot of Bath and Body Works products which I can give to my girl friends and female relatives. I also bought some multi-vitamins for my mom. I still haven't bought gifts for my siblings because the Dubai Summer Surprise is coming soon and I will wait for the major sales.

I didn't buy much for myself. I did, however, treated myself and my daughter to a nice salon session for haircut, hair-coloring and keratin treatment. My daughter had a stylish haircut and I love my new hair style as well. I haven't pampered myself like this before so I did indulge there.

New House

One of my relatives has completed the construction of her dream house recently. The house is not yet fully finished in terms of aesthetic factors. However, the house does have the complete electrical wiring, installed doors and windows, fenced perimeter and polished floors and tiled bathrooms.

I admire her high-ceiling because it allows the natural light to illuminate the living room. The house has 3 bedrooms, 1 at the ground floor and 2 on the second floor. It has 2 full baths and a small walk-in closet in the master bedroom. The kitchen is on the other end with a nook. The house is shaped as L so the garage is on the other end of the L with the kitchen.

The lawn is still a bit messy. Her family has yet to find a landscaper to beautify the garden. The fence is very simple vertical bars. She has not installed the address plaques for house which was a combination of house number and a picture of the Divine Mercy.

I am sure that once the finishing is completed and the landscaping is done, her house will be beautiful.

Broken Links in Health Sites

It is very irritating to visit a website through search engines and end up on broken links or even dead sites. I had a brush with various health sites recently when I was doing a research about weight loss and karate. There were some sites which opened only on the home page but when you click on the click here button to be directed to another page, it would not take you anywhere.

I hope site owners or web administrators will regularly check on their websites to ensure that they deliver accurate information and allow searchers/browsers to freely navigate without being led to any broken links.

Grimsvotn Volcano Eruption

Photo credit: owner and Reuters

Grimsvotn Volcano erupted in Iceland on Saturday, May 21. This eruption is far greater than the one last year but may not be as wide-spread as Eyjafjallajokull. The eruption last year caused a major international chaos in the aviation industry as most European airports were shut down due to the ash fall and low to zero visibility.

Saturday's eruption sent plume of ash, smoke and steam as far as 20 kilometers to the air. Aviation officials are closely monitoring the situation. Hopefully, the eruption will last not longer than last year.

Necklaces and Accessories

I love wearing accessories but not much of the real gold necklace kind. My husband is very lucky because I don't even ask for jewelries on special occasions. I am content with what my mom gave me and what I have bought with my first pay check.

I have plenty of accessories hanging in my closet. Some of them are choker style. I find the choker style not appealing anymore. I was about to throw most of the chokers but I suddenly remembered the necklace extender I saw in one of the boutiques in the nearby mall. I may get one and use it so I can still wear the chokers. I feel bad discarding them because some of them are gifts of friends and others I have bought from my travels abroad.

Karate for my Daughter and Me

I have enlisted my daughter in karate lessons. She is quite eager but a little apprehensive when she saw her future karatekas or in lay man's term - karate practitioners. They are ranging from 6 to 10 years old. Imagine myself donning a karate uniform with them? That will be a bit odd but I really cannot be bothered by what other people will say when I decide to enroll too.

I have also dreamed of learning the art of karate but never had the opportunity and chance to do so. However, I feel that fate beckons me to enroll this time. I may be old but age is not a factor in learning the "striking art." Although the "kumite" part (or sparring) is not in my list of things to do when I finally start karate class. I asked the sensei if there is another way to level up without going through kumite. I am quite relieved to know that there is. I'll just find that out then.

I have made up my mind. I am really inclined to do it for its health benefits and other personal improvement it can contribute to my life and well-being. So, I am doing it!

Karate, hai!

Lower Rents in Dubai

The world has seen the rise and fall of Dubai's mighty real estate market. Dubai's prime lands before the recession were selling like hot pancakes. Now that the bubble has burst, Dubai is left with numerous finished and unfinished metal buildings and other concrete construction.

Some well-known real estate companies here in Dubai has dramatically slashed the rents to 30-60% because of the lack of demand to fill the numerous empty commercial and residential buildings. Classic example is the building where we are staying. We paid AED 73,000 per annum as rental fee for our flat in 2007. That is rough estimate of US$ 21,000 in one year! That's where our money is going month after month. Then when recession hit, our rental fee was reduced to AED 63,000. It was further reduced when we renewed our contract last year to AED 48,000. That's 35% off the original contract leasing rate we signed for.

We are expecting a further reduction this August when we renew our tenancy contract. Let's face it, the supply and demand is now tilted and the real estate boom is no longer making a loud bang.

Don't We all

I often get forwarded emails from family and friends on anything under the sun, including stories of inspirations and motivation.

I received this from a dear buddy in UK and I was compelled to share it to everyone. So, I am giving credit to the one who created this article. This is a beautiful one. I hope we all learn a thing or two from the story. Read on...

"I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum.

From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't want to be bothered times."

"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought.

He didn't.

He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.

After a few minutes he spoke.

"That's a very pretty car," he said.

He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scrag gly blond beard keep more than his face warm.

I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice.

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments.

I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me.

"Don't we all?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun.

Don't we all?

I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet a nd gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help.

Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see. Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that.

Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.

Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."

Don't we all?"

-------------------------- oOo----------------------------

I think we all need to be reminded that no matter where we are in society's status, we still need to keep our feet grounded. We all have our own struggles in life and each of us need help in any manner too.

God Bless everyone and remember to be kind.

Cool Clothing for Him

My husband is not the brand-conscious kind of chap. He will wear anything as long as he likes the style and color. You can buy him 1 dollar worth of shirt for all he care and he will graciously wear it as if it is the most expensive shirt in the world.

I want to get him something fashionable and stylish like the coogi clothing in Man Alive stores. Unfortunately, we don't have that clothing shop here in Dubai so I have to check with my friends who will go to the US to buy some.

I don't want very trendy clothes for him because he's already in his 40s and we grown-ups have to dress according to our age, correct? So, the clothing line in Man Alive can give me plenty of options. I can get him casual shirts and polo and even trousers which he can wear for office during casual clothes day and when going out with his pals.

It's time to update his wardrobe and I hope he will like my project.

Swimming Au Naturel

We can't deny it but the sweltering summer condition makes us all want to jump to the nearest pool or head to the beach for a good splash. And speaking of swimming, did you know that there are numerous "nudist beach"  listed in Tripadvisor? Well, I don't think I have the guts to go skinny dipping even if I have a good figure (figuratively speaking, no pun intended). I am very prudent so the nudist beach is not my cup of tea for a good summer dip. So, if you're the brazen one and doesn't mind swimming in your birthday suit, then check this list below for some famous nude beaches in the world and here they are in no particular order:

Paradise Beach, Mykonos, Greece
Cap-d'Agde France
Red Sand Beach, Matala, Crete
San Gregorio Private Beach, San Mateo County, CA
Samurai Beach, Port Stephens, Australia
Wreck Beach, Vancouver BC, Canada
Praia Do Pinho, Santa Catarina, Brazil

There are few rules to follow though, No Clothing or clothing is optional and definitely no photos!

Walk For Good Health

I started pounding the treadmill again last month. So far, I can say that I have been very good with my commitment to stick to my schedule.

I fell off the wagon few months ago. I just felt that I didn't have the drive to continue on what I have started last year when I lost weight. Of course, that dilly-dallying cost me my weight loss success. I had to start all over again and who was I kidding? MYSELF!

The month of April was my wake up call when I could hardly fit on my clothes I just wore few months ago. I took a close look at myself in the mirror and I was aghast on what I saw - a very, very rotund version of me! I cried and felt a little insecure. I know it is bad to self-loathe but I felt that. A lot of people  are even making side-comments on my "sudden" pudginess because I was not like this last year. I already shed some of the weight and then I slacked.

I had to convince myself that I am doing this because I don't want to look good but I want to feel good inside and out. There is a difference between wanting and feeling and I want the more substantial one. I may look good but my health is horrible. I will go for the latter. Below are pictures of me - recently taken and how I looked like five years ago. I normally don't post a photo of my very fat image but this is my reality. I want to have that same motivation I used to have and this time it's to feel great inside because I deserve it.

"Bigger" version of me. I wore a loose blouse to conceal my flabby tummy. 

Taken 5 years ago during my "ideal" weight days.  I used to have "flat" tummy and skinny arms. 

So, I am now committed to walk regularly with other exercise on the side like skipping rope and doing jumping jacks for few minutes. I also do half push-ups to tone my arms. My food intake is getting better each week. I am beginning to shun processed food and taking in more fruits and vegetables with lesser sodium. I still eat fried food but using olive oil. My budget is a bit over the top these days because of the food I prepare and eat but you don't put a price on good health, right?

I know it's still a long shot before I reach my desire weight goal. I will get there in due time.

Tips to Minimize Feeling Bloated

There are days when we can't fit to our favorite clothes. There are days when the same clothes almost fall off our waists. It is not because we gained weight overnight but it could be what we ate during the day or the previous days.

Here are tips to deflate being bloated:

1. Eat potassium-rich food like bananas, mangoes, cantaloupe, tomatoes, nuts, asparagus, and spinach. These food contain amino acid called asparagine which acts as diuretics helping our bodies expel excess liquid in our system.

2. Close your mouth. Habits like chewing gum, smoking and talking while you are eating can make us swallow more air than usual.

3. Take probiotic. This can be found in yogurts like Dannon Activia. Probiotic is the good bacteria which aids in proper digestion.

4. Prepare yourself for Pre-menstrual symptom (PMS). If you are the kind of person who suffers being bloated before the period, you can take enough calcium and magnesium to help relieve PMS.

Camping Out

I haven't experienced the wonders of gazing under the night sky near a tent and campfire. I grew up in the city so my siblings and I never had that privilege.

I want my daughter to experience the feeling of camping. So when her church group organized a night-out sans the parents a month ago, my husband and I were quick with our permission. We bought Big Agnes Sleeping Bags for her (and also for ourselves for future use) to use. She wrote her name on the bag immediately and you could actually tell her excitement.

The excitement was short-lived because the night-out was not a camp-out. It was a sleep-over. So once again, we are dreaming of the elusive camping activity I have been imagining all my life.

I told my husband and daughter that we should do it this year before winter comes. I want my family to enjoy nature as much as I love to fulfill that childhood dream of a nice camp-out.

How To Manage You Time At Work

Time is very crucial especially with tight deadlines to meet in the office. Sometimes, the 8 or 8.5 hours we spend in the work area is not enough to complete a certain task or project. As a worker, I often find myself in a rush to meet set deadlines on publications and releasing of manuals. A certain delay or goof up can entail a serious problem in the operations. So, I can say that I am an important "nut" in the big machinery called the corporate world. If I don't deliver the goods, our office won't have anything to teach. It is for that reason that I try my best to manage my time at work.

We often wonder how we can make those official time work in our favor. If we want to achieve a lot then we must know how to manage our time properly.

Here are some tips which will be beneficial to everyone in the same boat as I am to meet rigorous deadlines without compromising the kind of quality output you will deliver. 

1. Try your best to jot or type down your things-to-do for the next day. I always do this few minutes before closing of business hour. That way, I don't miss anything and my mind is still fresh from recalling the events of the day without missing anything important for the next day to do.

2. Prioritize your tasks or projects. This is quite tricky. I always put color coded tabs on my paper work requiring urgent attention. The ordinary ones which can actually wait a day or two will be done according to their urgency. Sometimes, I am faced with several projects all requiring immediate attention and action.  I weigh in the assignments and inform the management about my dilemma for their information and to cover my back. You should be able to say "I'm busy, can that wait" because you are. Remember, you were not born with extra appendages!

3. Delegate. If you are in the position to delegate assignments or tasks then you're lucky. Much of your time management woes have been solved. The only thing you have to ensure is that the quality of output you will get from the other staff will meet yours and the boss' expectations. 

4. Lessen personal talks and phone calls. I barely take personal calls during office hours. If ever I have to, I make it very short, say 2-3 minutes tops. I also don't accept calls in my mobile phone and tell the caller to call me back at a particular time after office hours. That saves me plenty of time to finish some small tasks.

5. Minimize the social call, ie. visiting colleagues or friends in the other unit to chit-chat and gossip. I am not saying that you should ditch being friendly in the name of duty. That is so boring. However, the office is not a place to fulfill your social life's calling. Have a short coffee break with your friends if you have to but don't linger. I know a lot of people in the office who waste half of their time chit-chatting and when deadline comes, they run around like headless chickens. Not a good sight!

6. Do not read your personal mails in the office. No explanation needed.

7. Meditate. Yes, clearing your mind with unwanted thoughts speed up your ability to process work. If you are in doubt and confused, you take so much time to figure out a simple instruction and the time is already wasted trying to solve a simple problem. Relax. Unwind. Think happy thoughts.

I hope the tips I have given above will help you to manage your time at work very wisely. Good luck and focus!

Building Swimming Pools

Swimming pools are often associated with summer activities because of the scorching heat of the season. The pools provide a respite to the harsh elements. They offer a refreshing, watery break to swimmers with cool waters and calming effect of the pools' ambience. However, the plan of building a swimming pool in your backyard will merit a considerable thought.

Building a swimming pool takes a lot of consideration like costs and budget, design, maintenance, fencing, contractors like swimming pool contractors tuscon, insurance costs, pool supplies and the availability of land you can spare to construct the swimming pool. You do not construct one out of a whim because the harsh humidity or the summer's heat drove you to the decision of having your own swimming pool. If money is not an issue and you still want to push through with your plans then go for it.

Many home owners in the hot areas of the US have swimming pools in their residences. If you are one of the homeowners who has the financial means, spare land to use and the desire to build a swimming pool then you can gather ideas by going through the internet and searching swimming pool designs tuscon or narrowing it down to swimming pool design tuscon. Either search will yield plenty of results which will give you ideas on the costs and designs you may consider before calling the shots.

Choosing the design that will best fit your lifestyle and budget is an inevitable task to face when you want to go through this swimming pool construction project. The design will be based on your land's availability as well.  There are various designs of beautiful swimming pools to choose from. Examples of pool designs are the free form, infinity or what we commonly call the infinity edge, geometric, narrow pools, spas and spillways and above-ground pools. The decision lies on you as the homeowner. It does not matter what design you choose. If the benefits of having a pool outweigh other factors then the project is worth it.

Backing Up Files

The number of files creeping in my new laptop is a bit concerning. I try my best to minimize any downloads and copying from other sources to be saved in my laptop. I had the misfortune of crashing my old laptop due to that so I am very careful now.

Unfortunately, my daughter also uses my laptop for her school matters and the amount of information she saves is really high. She has pictures and music files too and I cannot delete them just like that. I wish there is another way to minimize them like saving them on an external hard disk. If only I have the latter.

Another solution I can think of is enlisting in any online data backup service to save our files. These sites offer automatic backup system, support file versioning, photo organizer and gallery features, and scheduler.  Some sites  offer free of charge if you have files to save up to 2 GB. I think that is fairly reasonable compared to the amount of free save I will have after I transfer our files.

Thankful for the Blessing

The announcement of our bonus was much anticipated by everyone in the company. Although our company met the set quota and actually exceeded it despite the Middle East political crisis and natural calamities which hit other parts of our route network; our company survived.

The bonus is not as huge as what we all expected it to be. Albeit, a bonus is a bonus and is a blessing no matter what the amount. For that, I am grateful. Thank you Lord. You really know our needs.

Happy Mother's Day Mom

For all the sacrifices you have made,

For all the lessons you have taught,

For all the love you have shown,

I am eternally grateful Mom.

I love you Mom and you deserve to be recognized for the unselfish acts of love you have shown your kids.

Happy Mother's Day Mom. I am glad to have you as my mother.

Bonus Time!

As I wait with bated breath for the 10th May announcement of our annual bonus (whether we have or none for this year), I came across this cartoon by Mike Gruhn of webdonuts.com (I'm a huge fan!). The topic is very apt!

So, if I don't get any bonus this year, I now know why ;)

Photo credit and cartoon by Mike Gruhn of www.webdonuts.com

I am crossing my fingers, toes, legs and even my eyes for a good news this May 10. It better be good!

Home Theater System

Our TV is connected to a lot of audio system at home. I actually do not dare switch the TV on without asking my husband or daughter's assistance because of the complex connections my husband did.

My husband loves to tinker with electronics and gadgets so it comes as no surprise that we will create a very intricate connection of home theater system speakers in our living room.

I really appreciate the great surround audio when we watch on the big screen but how the whole system works is a great puzzle to me. Maybe I'm just not the kind of person who understands all these audio/video complexities.

Disappointing Animal Treatment in Sharjah Animal Market

I am not so sure if UAE is an animal-loving country. I don't know any law in place about the animals' welfare here. Maybe there is a law; I'm just not aware. However, I do know that UAE is not a pet-friendly country. For one, some pets (like dogs) are considered bad for some religious reasons. Pets are not allowed in the park or near the beach area. Pets are not allowed to be taken to any open court malls for a walk. It's really sad and frustrating for a pet owner like me.

Another frustrating and disappointing fact about the animals' condition in this country is how they are traded like a commodity. Sharjah Animal Market has been the target of many animal-lover supporters to regulate their selling of animals. Some have been found in a very inhumane condition like peacocks bound in a plastic bag and dogs kept in very small cages. Exotic birds and other animals have been sold too in paper bags instead of the proper cages.

Here is a link of some community journalists who shed light on what's happening in the Sharjah Animal Market. Kudos to Gulf News for allowing it to be publicized.

To all of you, if you cannot take care of an animal, then don't get one! Be responsible. Treat them nicely. Imagine what it feels like to be in a cage with your own manure and urine? Want to trade places with an animal? No! Then be kind!

Is it the End of Terrorism?

News all over the world flashed the death of Osama Bin Laden, one of the top 10 most wanted terrorist known to mankind in present times. He was killed in a secret raid in Abbottabad, 150 kilometers north of Islamabad, Pakistan on May 1, 2011.

People are cheering and waving their flags as they celebrate the killing of the person who is known to be responsible for the September 11, 1991 Twin Towers attack.

I don't know what to feel. I don't know if I will rejoice. All I know at the moment is that I feel a bit scared and skeptical. One man gone, another one (or even more) can take place. Is it really the end of terrorism?

I solemnly pray so. 

Beatification of Pope John Paul II

Photo credit: catholicism.about.com

Today, 1 May 2011, marks the beatification of Pope John Paul II or Karol Josef Wojtyla - his Polish name. The faithful erupted in tears of joy and cheers when the face of young Pope John Paul II was unveiled in St. Peter's Basilica for his beatification in Vatican City.

Pope Benedict XVI beatified Pope John Paul II in front of million of faithful gathered in Vatican today and the nearby areas and also from live stream across the globe.

He reigned as the Pope of the Catholic Church from October 16, 1978 until his death on April 2, 2005. 

Gifts for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is around the bend. I am thinking of what to give my own mom for this special occasion because I have not been sending anything to her lately. A little gift here and there can actually make her smile and feel appreciated.

I have been scouring the internet lately of the best gift to give her. I am checking ideas and Proflowers coupons to use for the special day because my mom deserve's the best.

On the top of my list is a trip to Macau or Singapore if she's up to it. Another gift idea is to send her money to spend on what ever she likes. Then I feel a bouquet of flowers with boxes of purses and clothes will be unique and sweet. I don't want to get her fancy jeweleries because she seldom go out of the house. I am very tempted to just ask what she wants. The gift-hunting will be a lot easier! Come to think of it, I am a mom too. Will I get gifts from my hubby and daughter?