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November 13 I *HEART* HEROES!!!For all of my fellow Heroes enthusiasts... It seems like this is going to be a weekly feature — Milo Ventimiglia; One of the Heroes stars, a.k.a. Peter Petrelli, always manages to find himself without a shirt on! I'm sure I am not the ONLY one that has noticed this trend but seems like Heroes has really been a Milo Ventimiglia softcore porn serial this season. First the naked bondage scene, then it was a group viral decontamination hosedown and During last night’s episode (”Four Months Ago”), Peter was on the run from Elle (Kristen Bell) and The Haitian (Jimmy Jean-Louis). And why not run around without a shirt on?! Are any of you really going to complain about that? I know I'm NOT! But it will be interesting to see and/or calculate how many more half naked situations Peter Petrelli can end up in on Heroes this season! Will you count with me? It may be of interest now that I have pointed this out for you, particularly if you'd like to indulge your Milo Ventimiglia bondage fantasies. LOL ~Amber
October 31 It's The Most WONDERFUL Time of the Year!Everyone knows I love Halloween, well I hope you all have fun and be safe what ever you plan on doing tonight! I am taking Ikaia trick or treating, this year he will drees up as a NINJA, I could be wrong but I think it's because of the sword! Anyway, i will take pictures and send them out by next week... I love you all and hope that this email finds each and every one of you in 'good spirits' -pun intended! LOL
LuvUMissUMucho! ~Amber Parra 
June 22 Thank God Jesus Was Liberal!They're not my definitions, but I think the dictionary sums it up well... Here are the Websters dictionary definitions of Liberal and Conservative... 'nuff said...
Liberal –
Broad Minded
Tolerant of different views and standards of behavior in others
Progressive Politically or Socially
POLITICS favoring gradual reform , especially political reforms that extend democracy, distribute wealth more evenly, and protect the personal freedom of the individual
Generous
Generous w/money, time, other asset
Generous in Quantity
Large in size or amount
Not Literal
LANGUAGE not limited to the literal meaning in translation or interpretation
Culturally Oriented
ARTS concerned with general cultural matters and broadening of the mind rather than professional or technical study
Liberal Person
Somebody who favors tolerance or reform
Conservative –
Reluctant to Accept Change
In favor of preserving the status quo and traditional values and customs, and against abrupt change
Cautious and on the Low Side
Cautiously moderate and therefore often less than the final outcome
Conventional in Appearance
Conventional or restrained in style and avoiding showiness
Traditionalist Person
Somebody who is reluctant to consider new ideas or accept change
Supporter of Conservatism
Somebody who supports the doctrine or beliefs of conservatism August 09 He Said/She Said Ok so normally I refrain from bloggin’ anything about my personal relationship with Joshua (my fiancé). Reason being because I know that both his fam and mine have access to this page and on occasion may even actually read it. With that in mind, I keep a lot of my feelings private (like that is a shock despite the consequences) in attempts of not hurting or offending anyone and basically trying to keep the balance if you catch my back draft… You may have been expecting me to say that I didn’t want Joshua to read it, but believe me there is no cause for concern there. So in the likeness of self-preservation, I have a tendency to keep things of that sort in my mind asylum. Probably more for the friction factor than anything else but nonetheless I am breaking the cycle here. As if you couldn’t see where I was going with this…
Of course there were numerous little occurrences which subsequently came to the surface… (Please don’t ask because I just don’t feel like listing them especially since they’re so paltrily trivial).
Last night while in bed Joshua had made a comment something to the effect of, “I wonder if my Mom ever says that to my Dad, I wonder if she says, ‘I did (what ever it may be), when was the last time you did (whatever it may be)’?” Then he added, “My Mom did everything and she had 3 kids and she worked.” To which I internally replied, “So did my Mom, 3 kids, 2 jobs and many others I’m sure, only my Mom did not have a loving husband as a support system while we grew up.” Initially, I was pissed, like Wh-th-Fuh? What a thing to say, and almost immediately negativity reigned supreme in my head. But like I said, this was my INTERNAL response. To have said that aloud would have sparked A-bombs, so instead I toned it down a bit (but not much). My verbal reply was, “Well, I’m not your mother.” In retrospect, this response was probably not my best effort in toning it down, though it did get my point across without blowing any blood vessels in Joshua’s head. Some minor boiling perhaps, but I can live with that.
Now, I know that silence is sometimes the best answer and if you know me then you know that I just may have invented the concept. However on occasion, I do show my flawed human side and blurt right back- most often in anger or defense. In all probability, I could have handled the situation laboriously but clearly his comments hit a nerve. I know that most arguments and/or disagreements between couples have more to do with other issues/things than what you are actually arguing/disagreeing on/about. I believe this and many of our tiffs are sentient of that fact. Resolution? I haven’t a clue, but I am working on it and I do know well enough to abstain from holding a grudge. “Appels & Oranjes” I will letchya know how it goes… I will also try to be a little more “open” on here, because well, that is sorta the point of this isn’t it? Baby steps people…
July 06 For SHAME...Ok, so this is a letter that I just finished writing and mailed to Habitat for Horses and Parker Ranch in Waimea, HI. I still can't believe it all, and if I would have had a camera on me I would have taken pics, and YES it was that bad. For once in my life I could not bring about the words to describe such cruelty! All I know is that if I see these horses again in this condition I will take pics and I will probably say a lot more to the piece of excrement that operates such callousness!!!
Parker Ranch Center Operations Management 67-1435 Mamalahoa Highway Kamuela, HI 96743 Attention Management: Although I find it an unpleasant task, I feel that I must bring to your attention a problem that not only my fiancé and I witnessed, but many others have as well. My fiancé Joshua and I had some difficulty with a representative of yours whom operates the Parker Ranch Horse & Carriage ride. I would have provided his name but he had declined to divulge it. I am of course, assuming since the Parker Ranch name is included and marketed on the carriage banner, that this gentleman and his horses are associated with and/or representative of your organization. I firmly believe that employers and their businesses should keep up to date on everything that embodies their name. Case in point; on Wednesday, June 14th my fiancé and I were coming out of Tante’s Grill after having a late breakfast. We came across a two-horse drawn carriage and a gentleman dressed as a cowboy operating it. My fiancé Joshua grew up on his grandfather’s ranch in Oregon and is exceptionally knowledgeable on the subject of horses. I consider myself a “City-Girl” but even I could see that these horses were not groomed and appeared to be severely neglected. Their ribs were showing, they were not wearing horseshoes, both had cracked hoofs; one was cracked so bad that the hoof was almost split to the top, their manes were not brushed and they were clearly too old to be run in this condition let alone in this manner (pulling a carriage). After observing this, my fiancé Joshua approached the gentleman concerning the condition of the two horses. He had asked the gentleman why they were so poorly groomed, malnutritioned, and not taken care of as they should be. To which the gentleman responded with a sneered chuckle. My fiancé then became affronted with the gentleman’s response or lack thereof and offered back, “How would you like it if I took you and made you run barefoot over hot lava rocks…” The man turned his attention away from Joshua and just waved him off as if he were some bothersome fly. I then grabbed my fiancé and said to him audibly, “Let’s go, I will write Parker Ranch a letter…” I have a rule that I feel I must enforce, and that is to educate, to educate you on a member of your staff, independent or otherwise. The horses cannot speak for themselves, so perhaps I can provide them a voice and ask that you please do what you can to remedy this situation. This gentleman, these horses and their carriage are representing your ranch and there is no one in a better position to inform him of this concern than the people who he corresponds to. I hope that this letter will bring about some sort of resolution maintaining the certainty that each resident, visitor and patron will not only want to see but be apart of this horse drawn carriage service and equally important, appreciate the beauty of these creatures; how they are treated properly and cared for all the while baring the Parker Ranch name. Please understand it has taken me almost a month to take time out and write this letter however, it does not in any way devalue the unease I felt on June 14th. I think it would be unwise for me to allow any of this to remain unsaid, because of what I saw and experienced, I feel compelled to send this letter. Being that Parker Ranch has such strong ties in Waimea and offers so much to this community, I feel as a resident it is my duty to inform you of this unfortunate incident. Naturally, I am not looking to cause trouble for this gentleman even though he did not seem very personable. I know that people sometimes just need a point in the right direction. I feel that this gentleman may need to be reminded of the fact that what people see, shows them whether or not he has a great respect for his horses, himself and the company he represents. I am sure you will understand my position, and I hope that you will pass the word on to him. Sincerely, Amber Parra cc: Habitat for Horses May 18 Petulance...
Today's Motivational Quote: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved." ~~Helen Keller
So the next time you call me "un-patriotic" I will b-slap you with my Bill of Rights and you can then try to run me over with your gas-gulping SUV! May 02 Puttin' the Zmack Down...My letter to Heather...
Oh man, the proverbial can of Whoop Ass… So Shaun and you have been head butting lately ay? It happens girly, Joshua and I go thru the same thing. I have no answers for you. I know that no matter how hard our lives get (mine and Joshua’s), I just know that God has destined us to be together and I try to take solace in that when we have our undesirable moments. Which lately our “head butting” (as you put it) has come to be frequent as well… But we try to “work it out” and when we are not in the mood to, we just find separate ends of the house to bury ourselves in until one of us feels like just letting whatever “it” may be, go… I have found (through trial and error) that simply acknowledging Joshua’s point or that he even has one, institutes a foundation of mutual respect whether we agree or agree to disagree on the nature of the circumstance. I do believe though that even in the best of relationships, ultimately people are human, and human beings need their space… It is vital in a committed relationship to have some sort of understanding of one another, open communication, but all the same it is just as important to recognize that sometimes silence is the appropriate remedy. We are not always going to get our way, or 100% of what we want out of any given situation, so to just realize that would take a load off alone. Remember there is not necessarily a universal “right and wrong” but there is always the C-word which no one ever really wants to hear but Compromise is not a four letter word… So why is it we treat it as one? Pride, vanity… Who knows? All of the above or even none of the above, but the point being that humility is a quality which we should never disregard. Then again, you may ask, when do you get to the point where enough is enough? Is love really worth it all? Well *DeR* of course it is! When two people work toward the same goals how could it not be? And as for when you say enough- that is when you have made what you (reasonably) want and need from him clear and he genuinely falls short of that. Not the best counsel but at least some food for thought… But none-the-less get yr ass over here and visit me! Maybe a vacation is just what the doctor ordered…
~Amber April 27 The Kidz Alright...
Today’s Motivational Quote:
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”
~~Angela Schwindt
My son is only 2 years old and he has already taught me more than I could have ever imagined. It's all a learning process I suppose, for both of us. He is an amazing child and I often wonder why doesn't every parent think that about their child(ren)? Perhaps if they did, there'd be less violence and more nurturing in the world. I know that may sound a bit world peace-ish but seriously, we have got to start somewhere! And I would assume your own backyard is just that "somewhere"... Like I always say, I am one strong! I may only be one, but I am one strong... **************************************************************************** Letter to Kath...This is a letter that I wrote to my future mother in law... I thought twice before deciding to post it here, because it is a bit personal, but I figured that is the point right? I mean I did want to do this in part for recordation so... Besides, it will be interesting to come back to it in about 5 months...
Hey There Mrs. McCabe:
Kathryn, it was good to hear from you. I read all of your emails today and just wanted to say hola. Sorry about the pictures, I did not even think to compress them, obviously… Anyway in reading your first email, I have to say with regards to Joshua’s misogynistic view of women (in general), I did once ask him about it and he had attributed his views to the teachings of his uncles. But more over, I believe that those “teachings” helped to infuse his own personal experiences with women through the years which pervade his mind to this day. Mind you, there has been a small progression for him to be steered away from that mindset, but that thought process still has quite a strong hold on him. Which, I am sure you are very aware of, considering you are and have been the recipient of the ramifications for this particular thought process of his. I pray for the day that Joshua is released from that strong hold and that he would no longer be held captive by such an excessively futile ration.
You had said that you wished Joshua knew how much Patrick and you love him. I think that he does know that you both love him a great deal, but with that he also holds things from the past in what I like to call his anger box. He needs to let go of a lot of his past and just focus on moving forward in his life without dredging up any negatives from his former history. We could all probably benefit from doing this and I know first hand that it is easier said than done, but look at the alternative… The key word there is “former” – these things that he holds, need to be dealt with by him to alleviate the weight from his heart. I believe that emotional weight can be just as laboring if not more so than physical weight in that we can only carry so much. The effort is there, and he has changed so much already but we are never entirely complete. There is no such thing as an end to personal development, progression is infinite. Only I have not quite found my niche in conveying this to Joshua verbally. I am by far not a talker, I am a writer and it is unmistakably evident in most of what I write. With faith, I do believe we will get to that place someday, but for now, I just try to nurture all the positive transformations and adjustments he has made thus far.
Just something as simple as Teresa’s phone call to Joshua a few months ago helped modify his outlook. Teresa had called Joshua and apologized for “judging” him in the past. I was not privy to the conversation so I can’t comment on what exactly transpired between the two of them but whatever was said stunned Joshua and helped to chip away at his blanketed ration of women. Accountability is one of the purest forms of honesty there is in my mind, yet it is the least practiced by many. The sincerity behind it can only be admired. I marvel at Teresa’s valiant integrity in doing what she did - I am sure it was not an easy thing to do and believe me, Joshua was very appreciative. It hit him deep within and really helped him to see that his sister truly loves and cares for him.
I would never be so bold as to comment on your personal relationship with your son. There is way too much history there for me to possibly understand the depths of your relationship with him. I will only say this, I know he loves you and would do anything in his power for you and anyone in his family really, I just think a lot of that love can and does sometimes get overshadowed by irritation. He has come a long way from the first time I met him and I can’t see that his succession will ever stop, so like the old saying goes, “Patience is a virtue.” Just a little patience with Joshua and he will astound us all. At his core, I have never known ANYONE to be as devoted as he is to the people he loves… That and his faith are a huge part of what drew me to him after we met. Joshua is a remarkable man and I thank the lord for bringing us together.
We have not been going to church lately and not just because it is a fifty mile putt each way… I think that there are probably a lot of reasons we could come up with but none of them very good. I totally agree with you, God is and will always be apart of our lives, however, I think that we have not been putting him as numero uno. I will make a concerted effort to make prayer and the praise of our father my families utmost priority. Just keep us in your prayers as well… We all can fall from grace at any given moment but when we stick together spiritually, nothing is ever lost. That is the wonderful thing about our Lord, he is always willing to pick us up, shake the dust, and get us back into motion. That is basically what we needed, to get touched by an angel so to speak, er, maybe kicked by one… So, I got it!
You are so funny, I must say that I almost busted a gut when I read your “ok…so I am crazy” email… Kathryn la loca! I think we all have our “Men in White Coats” moments, you just have a little more than the rest of us… ha ha ha, that is a joke now… The last thing I want to do is make you cry, remember the whole “Mrs. McCabe fiasco?” Anyway, I am going to send a copy of this to Teresa because I would like her to know about the impact her phone call had on her li’l bro… Also, good luck on the project and perhaps we will be seeing you and the pad on HGTV! Get ‘em! So if all goes as planned, then maybe we will be seeing you soon huh? Well you all are always in our prayers, so keep us in yours!
Abrazos y Besos, ~Amber January 19 All That You Have...
As I was driving to work this morning I hit the scan button on my car stereo and I stumbled upon some Maui station (no vog today-yipee!!) and the morning hosts were exceptional which is a first (in my opinion) as far as Kona radio shows go. Anyway, they proceeded to play a song I hadn’t hears in years: “All That You Have Is Your Soul” by Tracy Chapman. Hearing it put a larger than life smile on my face because it took me back to the last time I remember hearing it; I was at Lake Tahoe & my Dad sang it to me while playing his guitar. What can I say, I got all warm and fuzzy inside because the lyrics are extraordinary and I realized that I did not fully comprehend and value the meaning behind the song when I’d first heard it… So I thought that I would share the lyrics for your own appreciation because they truly are noteworthy:
Oh my mama told me January 12 A Friend In Need...Now normally I don’t “do” advice. I have said it before & well, you know how it goes… As a general rule I try NOT to give advice, period. I believe that most people whom “ask” for advice are merely seeking some sort of reassurance. So why bother? Besides, there is no trade up for first hand experience. But like most of us who tend to roam in the grey, we make exceptions to our rules on occasion, thus being that occasion. So, without further ado, my friend having man troubs, and my dime-store philosophy: I can’t speak for your/his place in the situation, I just don't know what to tell you. I mean it sounds like there is no lucky one. I have no idea how I would react or feel if it was someone I loved and wanted as a companion in life. I am so sorry. Puh-leeeze do not read into things TOO MUCH!! Sometimes we make the littlest things seem more significant when in reality they have absolutely no meaning... He may just like your taste and sincerely may want your opinion... Then again, could be that he is having a hard time as well with letting go... Any contact can sometimes give the illusion of a continued connection. Ultimately, if what you want and what he wants are two different things, then you have got to make a decision: you either continue on this route in hopes of him coming 'round or you sever those ties and move on, which is easier said than done. Or you can try the friend thing, but in my personal experience and through the observations of others, that approach rarely works. So kiddo, you do what is best for you. No one else can make that decision for you, or even enhance it. |
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