Globalgirl's Blog (12)

There's an organization called Go Games that organizes scavenger hunts and various team building activities for companies and groups. I think I signed up to be an "extra" a few months ago, but never thought twice about it as I've been too busy to participate. Well today, Jenny from Go Games called me at 10:00 am and asked if I was available at 1:30 to be a last minute "actor" in a scavenger hunt put on by a local engineering firm. I checked my work schedule and said "yes." Basically my role…

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Yesterday I was very lucky to listen to a short talk given by Dr. Margaret Chesney from the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. Her talk was on "How to Outsmart Stress".

In a nutshell, she offered the simple acronym "BREATHE" as a practical way to find happiness and balance in our lives. I'd like to share what I've heard with the 29 Gifts community.

BREATHE

Be in the moment

Realist -- set realistic goals

Each day -- notice…

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Typically when I am approached by a solicitor on the street whether it's for Greenpeace or a nonprofit, I quickly say "sorry, in a rush" and quickly move past the person with the clipboard. Today while walking around I was approaced by a man wearing an American Red Cross jacket. He asked me if I had time and just as I was about to say "no, thank you" I paused and said "sure." He reached out his hand and introduced himself as Josh. He asked me if I donated to the Red Cross and I told him that…

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Dec 7, 2010

On Tuesday evening my local alumni association had its annual holiday party. I ran into old friends and met new ones. One gal that I met just moved back to SF and is currently looking for a job. I asked her what type of job and industry she was looking in. She mentioned that she was exploring public advocacy/education around healthcare. I was planning on attending a conference the very next day on healthcare and innovation in medicine/healthcare and shared the…

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Dec 3, 2010

I'm a little delayed with updating my blog and just yesterday set a daily alarm to remind myself to post my daily gifts.

Last Friday I went to dinner with a man that I recently started dating. We had shared a lovely vegetarian meal and had enough leftovers to feed another person. I always take my food to go and carry it around in case I run into someone on the street that would like a meal. However, I was more than pleased that my date suggested it first. So we…

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Tonight I attended a fundraiser for a local charity called One Warm Coat. I donated a warm child's coat that someone could benefit from this time of year. So many people and children in our community lack the basic living essentials that we take for granted every day. I hope the coat I donated helps to keep someone warm and safe this winter.

It's been a few days since I've been actively giving. I want to get back into that mindset and this evening I visited a friend who has been out of town for a few weeks. It was good to catch up and she is in a new relationship with a man that she is truly excited about. I'm happy to serve as a confidante at such an exciting time in her life. I also had 2 very promising date with a man that is nice and interesting and smart and kind. FINALLY!!

Tomorrow, I'm committed to…

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I'm a sucker for deals, and on Groupon you can save $10 on a $25 microloan to help global entrepreneurs. Funds get paid back and it's a creative holiday gift for the person that doesn't need anything. My brother's birthday is on Saturday and I'm thinking about giving this to him.

Here's the link: http://www.groupon.com/deals/kiva-national

My dad has been asking me for an ereader for the past month. He's 71 years old and has very painful arthritis. I guided him away from the Kindle and asked him to check out the Nook at a Barnes and Noble store because the Nook supports the ePub format which the library uses for its e-book lending.

I have been hesitant to give into his wish knowing how little patience he has for technology and little buttons,etc. However today I decided that that wasn't a real issue. My father…

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While my soup is simmering happily away, I thought about my day and rememberd that a co-worker is also out sick today. I just sent her an ecard to let her know that she was in my thoughts.

I woke up today after maybe 5 hours of sleep.For some reason I didn't sleep well and went to bed thinking about the 28 gifts left to go. I also woke up sniffly. I spent the day working from my home office in an old sweatshirt and used up half a box of tissues due to my runny nose and drinking vitamin C like it was going out of style.

For the past year I've been staying with my aunt, uncle, and my 9-year old cousin. They have been extremely generous to me and I am very blessed…

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As the holiday season comes down upon us, I suddenly feel oppressed by the onslaught of holiday music, decorations, and sales. Moreover, I'm feel weighed down by the air of materialistic consumerism that our modern society embraces with such embarrassing gusto. This season I don't want to give presents for the sake of checking off my list. I want to give things that matter which is why I'm taking up the 29 gifts challenge. Also I like the idea of a year-end resolution versus a new year's…

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