Los Angeles Fire Academy

Our older son's soccer coach is an instructor at the Los Angeles City Fire Academy and we were lucky enough to get a tour of the facility.

Here is Drill Tower #1 where they practice and train.

The Training tower on the right can be filled with smoke, flame, and heat with the use of the "Burn Rooms" and smoke generators seen to the left. The tower is a warren of dark rooms, confusing under the best of conditions.

This is the view from the top of the Drill Tower East towards the Verdugo Mountains, part of the San Gabriel Range.

New Firefighters or "Rookies" were there training on the large ladder used for high rise fires.

This is the classroom which has signs about construction, roofing materials, and includes the sign "We Risk Alot to Save Alot".

We all got to take a ride on the firetruck, with the Siren and Lights On! Whoo Hoo!

The menfolk were thrilled to smash up the junk cars on the lot with sledge hammers.

My husband landed a beautiful shot on this poor unsuspecting car hood.

It's always been a dream to get to sit in the back of the Ladder Truck with the second steering wheel.

It was a wonderful day and I really appreciated our soccer coach who gives of himself so freely to both children and the community.

Perfect Moment Monday

My Perfect Moment is short and sweet today, and it happened this fine Monday morning.

The boys leave for school at about the same time. This morning, they are all ready to go, it's time to say good bye before they walk/bike to school.
The three of us hugged together for not quite a minute and we relished the moment.
It doesn't get any better than this.

For more Perfect Moments, please visit a most Favorite blogger, Lori who is also an Inaugural recipient of the "Mother Teresa would be Proud" Award from another fav bloggerina, AntiBloggedy.

Thank you and I send you many moments to relish and cherish your loved ones.

Tagged/Random Meme

One of my most favorite bloggerinas Busted Babymaker tagged me for a Meme listing either weird or random facts about myself. Okay, I'm game, so here goes.

The attendent Rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about you.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.


Random/Weird Facts:

- I think having a salt lamp in my office has increased my energy level.

- I first experienced Deja Vu when I was 9 years old.

- I wonder how much water is in Water globes, you know the kind you buy at souvenir shops and Snow globes with the glitter snow. Anybody else ponder this question or just me?

- I have telecommuted for almost 8 years. I use a 55 cm fitness ball as my office seating. It helps my posture and relieved my neck pain from being on the computer so much.

- I earned two black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido when I was 39 years old. My two favorite weapons to train with are the Nunchuks and War Fans. The Martial Arts are a cheap form of therapy that results in a great butt and more peaceful outlook.

- I drink 6 to 8 cups of herbal tea a day, my favorite is peppermint tea.

- I am compelled to look for a four leaf clover anytime I come across a patch of clover. I have never found one, but I am still looking.


Whew, that was hard work. Hmm, my taggeess are: (Disclaimer, optional of course, who am I to dictate a post topic?)

Mrs.Spit

Renee

Kalei

Kathy

Judy

Annie

Are You Kidding Me?

"Let the center be your home"/Shiny New Etiquette Badge

Holiday Grab Bag

Hi, there and did you see it? Uh, Uh? My Shiny, BRAND Spanking New, Hot Off the Press, Etiquette Badge that says I can have tea with the Queen!!! I got me some Manners, oh, Yessirreee I do!! I got proof, now, how about that? All because I put pen to paper and wrote a letter, (mailed it too!). I'm so excited and want to Thank Our Inimitable Dear Mrs.Spit for this unique honor. If you care to join us, please drop by her place, typically on a Wednesday. All are most graciously welcome. It will be most delightful, I assure you!


I have been "tagged" by Annie and it involves a book, a most favorite thing. So here goes-

* Grab the book closest to you. Now.
* Go to page 56.
* Find the 5th sentence.
* Write that sentence as your title.
* Copy these instructions.
* Tag 5 other friends to play.
* Don't go looking for your favorite book, or the coolest one you have - just grab the closest one.

The closest book is the one I just blogged about yesterday, "The Book of Secrets" by Deepak Chopra. The fifth sentence on page 56 in this book is "Let the center be your home". Pretty cool stuff, hey? No wonder the book takes so long to read, I have to meditate after every other page.

I invite my fellow readers to play along including:

Are you kidding me?
Silver G
Ashley
maniacal mommy
Renee

Disclaimer: All tags are optional. They can be a little bit too much like a chain letter for me to shackle my dear bloggers with that responsibility. However, this is a fun, easy tag.

Now that business is complete, I have reflected on the meaning of this 5th sentence, "Let the center be your home" and I would like to extend my heart (my center if you will) to the homes of Mr.&Mrs.Spit and Sara and her family today. Thank you.

"The Book of Secrets" by Deepak Chopra

"The Book of Secrets-Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life" is the first book I have read by Deepak Chopra. I am only superficially aware of his work and checked this book out of the library on a whim. Talk about Synchronicity.

This is an amazingly rich, insightful, and spontaneously thought provoking book in the truest sense of the word. I am a voracious reader, I can easily read 300 to 400 pages a day depending on the level of difficulty. This book is only 260 pages, but I have only read 145 pages in the last two months. That's right, a whopping 18 pages per week! It is written in a straight forward and simple manner. However, the ideas and examples in the book are like a rich dessert, you have to savor and experience them before proceeding.

One "Secret" from the Chopra book is about the Gift of Attention as a kindness. It helps me realize how reserved and guarded I keep myself sometimes, avoiding eye contact or interaction. I am trying to be more open and present in my day to day world, even if it's just acknowledgement with a nod or glance. In the virtual world, I am learning it's okay to send a comment to a blogger or email to a friend that says "Thanks" or "I care". Sounds simple, but it is a challenge.

I hope to finish this book soon, it's overdue at the library. It's so hard to rush through, I put it on my Christmas list. I am looking forward to making it part of my library, so I can continue to learn.

Best to you and yours and thank you sincerely for the gift of your attention.

"The Universe is in You." Dr.Deepak Chopra

Holiday Greetings from Out of this World

Today, I am participating in "The Secret is in the Sauce" Holiday Greetings. This is a fun blog whose goal is to share support and comments. They are spreading some holiday cheer today with great prizes including a $200 gift card to "Tar-jay" aka Target. No contests or silly games, your comments are your entry.

Being the science nerd I am, (daughter of an engineer, didn't stand a chance), I hope you enjoy these Greetings from "Out of this World".

A Frown in the Night Sky
The planetary conjunction of the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter on December 1, 2008. (Venus is the brighter planet on the left, Jupiter is on the right.)




The Space Shuttle Endeavor Lands at Edwards Air Force Base, November 30, 2008



I was cleaning out the flower beds in my backyard on a picture perfect Sunday afternoon when I simultaneously heard/felt BOOM BOOM. The windows of the house shook, the dog awoke from his nap barking, and car alarms started to shriek. My thought process, "That was an earthquake, no, a big car accident right out front, NO, It was the Space Shuttle landing". And sure enough, that's what it was, the rupture of the atmosphere caused by the friction of the nose and tail of the Shuttle entering the sky about 50 miles from my home in Southern California. Sincere Thanks to Jeff for this wonderful video which includes the sonic booms.

The unique closeness of the planets of Venus and Jupiter and our moon, witnessing and sharing in the homecoming of our astronauts from Outer Space reminds of how vast our wonderful Universe is and how blessed I am to share my small part of it.

Peace, Health, Happiness to You and Yours, Martha

Perfect Moment - Navigational Aid for the Spirit

Inuk - Shuk Wooden Box and Jade Pin from Canada

Inuk-Shuks are stone figures built to resemble humans. Inuk-Shuks (Inuit word meaning "In the image of man") can be found along Canada's Northern Shores. Originally built as navigational landmarks and to aid in caribou hunting, today they are a symbol of respect for the land and the people of the North.



Thanks for Giving Recipe for a Perfect Moment

1. Take one blue and out of sorts 47 y/o female.
2. Add the poignancy of the Thanksgiving holiday and anniversary of my brother's death.
3. Routinely check the mail on Friday, a white package awaits!
4. Open package with beautiful Inuk-Shuk wooden box and jade pin from the incredibly kind, thoughtful Mrs.Spit.
5. Perfect Moment arises, enfolds, and embraces me.
6. Express my gratitude and appreciation for the gift of friendship and caring.
They are treasured.

Recipe notes: I would like to acknowledge the persuasive power of See's Chocolates in facilitating this perfect moment. Please note that my beautiful new jade pin is pointing Northeast towards Mr.and Mrs.Spit's home.

To see what else is cooking up in the Perfect Moment Kitchen, please check out my inspiration for this and many posts, dear Lori. Thank you so much, Martha