I can’t start . . . that’s my problem, I don’t know where to start!

If you have been scouting the internet for advice on turning your dreams into reality, then you will have come across advice to begin. Just begin!

“Arrgh!, you scream. If I knew how to begin, I wouldn’t be asking!”

Well, here you go. This is what you can do to begin.

It’s within your power and it is a test of whether you mean to begin, ever.  Or whether you will be a lurker in the shadows of your dreams to the end of your days on this earth.

Bring your dream alive through your blog

Whatever your field, whatever your concern, whatever your dream, I want you to blog evey day. A quick picture from your phone, if you have one, and a short text describing what you saw, what surprised you and what you would like to know more about.

Example

Here is a good example of a format that would suit you: the Timbuktu Chronicles. These are stories of entrepreneurship and inventing in Africa. Captivating, isn’t?

Steps for blogging your dreams alive

#1 Sign up to Posterous and make 3 accounts

• Account one is your long term record of who you are: MyName.Posterous.com
• Account two is for your children and relatives: ApetName.Posterous.com
• Account three is for the development of your dream: MyDream.Posterous.com

#2 Update your MyName account weekly

Post one update of how your career has progressed this week. Salute your colleagues. Give your clients some airtime.

#3 Update your account for your children and relatives daily

Take a picture of something you are doing and put it on line. Describe what you are seeing, feeling, tasting, hearing and let them see it too. Let them share your life.

A quick picture and a caption of what is what you walk past, eat, smell and hear when you are not with them.

#4 Add a snippet to your dream collection every day

And never break the chain!

Everyday, add a picture of something you noticed that is relevant to your dream. Or summarize what you are reading. Or connect the dots between points in your field.

Maybe over the weekend, add a summary post : the best 7 videos on . . .

Start collecting the jig saw puzzle pieces of your dream, one piece a day.

After all, by the end of the week, you will have 7 pieces!

Have you begun?

It’s a relief, isn’t it, to begin, just to begin!

Do subscribe to my jojordan.posterous blog here and I will subscribe to yours!

The best of weekends to you.  Set up your blog!

WordPress.com has just released a new feature which will allow you receive email notifications of my new blog posts.   Just click on the button in my sidebar over there on the right. This may be of interest for those of you who do not use a feed reader to keep up with the blogs you read (although if you do read a few blogs and you aren’t using a reader, I suggest you check out Google Reader pronto!).

Happy subscribing!

This week marked a few changes which really highlights how much our son is getting bigger. We moved the cot position down because CJ is now able to stand up and stay standing for a very long time! I have wanted Allan to move the cot for some time now, and after one particularly sleepless night (where I kept fearing I’d hear a loud thud only to find CJ had fallen head first out of the cot and broken his neck), Allan finally did the job. So, now Caleb is down low and he hasn’t yet figured out how to pull himself up holding the side bars. But he still manages to stay awake for a long time during nap-time discovering every little centimetre of his bed.

This got me thinking about when he first moved from his bassinet into the cot.

He went from this on the first day home (now being used by another newborn baby):

To this:

And at last, to this:

We have also started to bathe CJ in the big bath. Still in his baby bath, but gradually getting him used to being in the bathroom as opposed to the side of the kitchen sink. Again, it got me thinking about how far he’s come in these past 7 months.

From this (on first night home):

To this where he is happily sitting up:

To this, where he is trying to stand up:

I have a few more comparison photos – I really love to look back and see how far we’ve all come. It’s such a reminder of God’s care and provision for us. So, here is my little trip down memory lane for tonight.

CPC Mum’s Group first met at Rhodes in CJ’s Week 9. We meet up pretty regularly, the most recent being on Tuesday, again at Rhodes.

CJ’s different modes of car transport:

And how much he has come in his physical body movements:

From lying in a bouncer,

to lying still on the play gym,

to sitting on a merry-go-round (with me holding onto his overall straps!),

to almost standing up!

These are just a few of many remarkable advances that this little boy has gone through since he was born. I have enjoyed this little trip  down memory lane. Wonder what he’ll be like in 7 more months!

Hoy, martes 17 de noviembre, se cumple un añito justo desde que escribí mi primer post –muy soso, por cierto- en este blog. Desde entonces, con este van ya 102 entradas, que no está mal, aunque es de destacar que la productividad fue mucho mayor en la primera mitad del año que en los últimos meses. El caso es que aquí sigo, que no se libraran de mí tan fácilmente. Francamente, no esperaba durar tanto, más que nada porque esto de bloguear lleva bastante más tiempo de lo que parece y, a pesar de ser algo entretenido, cuesta robar minutos de otras tareas, sobre todo cuando el trabajo aprieta.

En fin, que hoy hago un año en la blogosfera y estoy muy feliz y orgulloso de ello. Sobre todo por la gente tan interesante con la que he entrado en contacto, algunos muy diferentes a mí, otros más parecidos, pero todos y todas con mucho que aportar. Que además se han portado ustedes muy bien, que de los setecientosypico comentarios que lleva el blog no he tenido que censurar ni uno, ni llamar la atención a nadie por insultos o exabruptos, que siga la racha. Claro que bien mirado igual eso puede interpretarse como que mi blog no le interesa ni a los trolls, hmmm… igual debería poner algún cebo algún día a ver si pica alguno. Casi que no, paso, que prefiero el buen rollo que hasta el momento ha imperado en esta casa.

Un millón de gracias a los comentaristas habituales: josepin, barbijaputa, Endless Nightmare, silcas, RMN, Biónica, sehablade, Bichejo, Noemi, Min, Lic. Jesús de Nazaret, y a todos los demás que se pasan por aquí de vez en cuando. Un sentido recuerdo también para los que parecen haber abandonado la blogosfera pero otrora estuvieron activos por estos pagos, se les echa de menos: lordkz, Luis Antón, Salva y la inimitable e inigualable Electra Laódice.

Como en un post de estas características no puede faltar un poco de autobombo y egolatría, les dejo con la lista de mis 10 posts favoritos de todos los que he escrito. No son necesariamente los que más visitas o comentarios han generado, sino los que me parece que me han quedao más completitos. Están en orden cronológico:

Oye, Patxi, que cómo hostias nos llamamos

We wish you a merry Newtonmas!

A ilha das cobras

El lago fantasma

Clonación a bordo

Polvetes online

Ligres, tigones, todos quieren ser los campeones

Ens volen normalitzar a tots

De estraperlo

Mecagüen la mercadotecnia

ej hvor har der bare været stille på bloggen alt for længe! de sidste par uger har været enormt travle for mig – jeg flyttede til Paris, og flyttede derefter tilbage til Danmark igen. jeg er bare en smule forvirret mht. hvad jeg vil, og hvornår jeg vil det. jeg er dog sikker på at det hele nok skal ende op præcist som jeg ønsker det, så længe at jeg følger mit hjerte.

men nu vil jeg love jer action på bloggen igen.

On Monday we went down to Kangaroo Valley stopping at Kiama. I love getting out of Sydney. Only a few short hours drive and it feels like a completely different world – slower pace, fresher air, smiley-er people, greener pastures, more relaxed conversations. Caleb was really good in the car, sleeping most of the time or just looking out the window and listening to us chat away about life, family, memories and dreams. The more relaxed we are, the more he relaxes.

As usual, Allan took his equipment and we got some good shots. The first photo looks like me and then the next like Allan with only a slight facial expression change. CJ is a good mix of us, I think!

My friend, James, who is an illustrator and cartoonist agreed to undertake a new collaborative writing project. You can observe it as it evolves. Please post comments and suggestions. The goal is to develop a character named, “Blogger,” who will become a visual representation (drawn by James) about what we are learning about blogging and story writing.

Okay, James, I will use words to paint my view of Blogger as she/he exists today. Blogger is a very busy academic with many roles and responsibilities. One ongoing role is to keep up with New Literacies, ways of making meaning in on line contexts. Blogger needs many tools (computer, computer desk, a good light, coffee, and  a blog page). Not only does Blogger need to be a character, he/she needs an avatar. I look forward to the image that you create. Once you upload, I will review some things that Blogger has learned about blogging and you can keep adding pictures.

We look forward to your suggestions fro what to add, change, take away from our character sketch.

Until tonight,

Rhonda

I thank our Lord Jesus for Caleb because He has taught me to treasure the small things like smiles and giggling.

God has enabled Caleb to continue growing and developing physically. He can now “crawl” and manages to get himself into the squashiest of places!

God has given Caleb a sense of adventure and desire to explore and discover what’s beyond his bedroom door.

God has also healed my body from 40+ weeks of bearing this baby, to the point where my back is no longer bothering me.

There have been many, many moments of gratitude as I look back and see how much CJ has changed and developed and brought an immensely satisfying joy. As we continue on this journey of parenthood, I keep praying that we can model godliness and a living faith in Jesus to CJ and that one day he will love and serve Him.

You are kicking my ass.

From the 5 page papers due two days later to the pop quizzes I can never get right, the full books I must read in mere days and of course the infinite amount of viral entertainment as well as the myriad of equally homework-overloaded teenagers living in the same building as me to keep me from completing any of it, you have successfully consumed all of my time.

But you won’t take me alive! Tonight instead of doing my homework I vow to go out to dinner with my family, spend an hour fooling around on Logic Pro, draw in my journal, and maybe even EXERCISE.

I vow to eat something besides pizza and bagels and potato chips.

And I vow to eat it out of something besides a tupperware or a paper box.

I vow to clean my dorm room. (Maybe.)

I vow to sleep more than four hours tonight.

TAKE THAT, COLLEGE!

xo

Ducky.

Some of you have probably noticed that my old posts are gone.  That’s because I’m cleaning house and moving on.  I’m retiring from blogging.  It’s time and I realized it after months of avoiding it.  I saved then removed my old posts in the hopes of finding some gem in the muck.  Maybe there’s some good book idea or article buried in there.  Plus, I’m working on redirecting my time and energy in some religious and business matters.  (Tajweed classes are rockin’ as usual.  It really adds sweetness to the prayer and I recommend everyone to take them.)  Insha’Allah, I can negotiate with this calligraphy museum in order to take some classes (of course, everything they offer is during my work hours!)  Anyway…

When I went on hiatus in March, I thought the time off would give me the energy and/or focus to get back into blogging again.  It hasn’t it.  The more I think about, the more I feel like the time is right.  There’s just too many things going on and I don’t have the time.  And, it’s not like the blog stats were that high anyway.  I may blog again in the future but that blog will probably be more arts related.  I mean, I went to Morocco (one of the most BEAUTIFUL countries on EARTH) for Ibn Battuta’s sake and you think that would have started a flurry for blog posts!  But I start and stop.  And start and stop.  Now it’s time to stop completely. 

As far as for blogging about American Muslim issues, I’ve run out of steam.  And that’s natural considering that I’m not in the States at the moment.  Who knew that all it would take for me to feel content were some pretty mosques, halal meat and the comfort of wearing an abaya without anyone looking at me sideways?  Oh, I ain’t saying things are prefect here (far from it) but sometimes you need to thank God for His favors wherever you find them.  And sometimes, it’s the simple things that matter. 

Also, this will be the first time in my blogging history that I won’t allow anyone to comment on this post. It’s not necessary.  Shoot, I keep up with most on you on Facebook or Yahoo anyway.  (I knew it was time to quit when I was doing more Facebook-ing than blogging.)  So I’ll leave this post up for about a few days and then delete the blog completely. 

Much love, duas, God’s mercy and cookies

Kelly Izdihar

Here is a fun blog game you can play that will absolutely get you TONS! of traffic to your blog! The game is called, “I am Tagging You For a Site Review!” Anyone with a blog can play and best of all its FREE! Here is how it the game is played.
Instructions:
First off, you have been tagged!
If you are reading this post… you have been tagged!
Below is a list of blogs that have already been reviewed.
At the bottom of the list you will find your site and a review that someone already wrote for you. If not, then you are reading this list on my site and you are welcome to play!
In order to keep the game going, you will need to create a new post on your blog.
Copy the entire list and instructions as you see it written here. (Be sure to copy the instructions.)
Include two NEW sites to the list and put them on the bottom.
Each site you will need to write a brief two to three sentence review. (For examples, just look at the reviews of the other sites listed below).
Publish the post and title it, “I Tagged You For A Site Review!”
Be sure to contact the authors of the two sites you did the review for and show them what they need to do to keep the game going.
Don’t let the game end on your shift… otherwise you will get the Blogger’s Blues… which is much worse than walking under a ladder or crossing the path of a black cat! You don’t want the game to end if you are tagged with the last site review.
Pass the buck, and write two brief reviews. Clear your name and don’t get the Blogger’s Blues!
Previous Sites That Got Tagged With A Site Review:
Garry Conn: I am web designer and have a natural talent for search engine marketing and provide a professional local website development and Internet marketing service in my home town. I have been around computers all my life and still remember using my Commodore 64 just like it was yesterday.
Kyle’s Cove: a technology and blog that features an audience made up of a wide variety of people, ranging from the technology savvy to those new to the world of Web 2.0. This website examines the latest technology and blogging services available around the Internet.
Matt Jones: Hi! I’m Matt Jones and I’m the author of Affiliate Scam Guide. The purpose of my site is to help you make money online with affiliate programs and not get scammed!
The Life of a School Bus Driver: Hello! My name is Jennifer. My site is a live journal of my life as a mom, wife, photographer, and the daily adventures of being a school bus driver!
Who is Madhur: Bringing the best of gaming and technology! My hobbies include playing all sorts computer games especially FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer , surfing the net , listening music, learning game programming or some new languages , watching Manchester United Play. Currently I am trying to become a computer engineer from Jaypee University Of Info Tech, Shimla.
Junker Jorge : A Former Word of Faith Pastor Turned Southern Baptist. A great expose blog about the dangers of the cult movement of combined humanism and Christianity.
Police Diver : This Blog is the musings of a waterlogged Staff Sargent. UNDERWATER AND SOMETIMES UNDERCOVER!!!!! HELPING TO KEEP THE BROTHERS SAFE ONE LITTLE BLOG AT A TIME!!! AND A FEW LAUGHS THROWN IN.

Silly Americans!

You built the greatest nation known to mankind. Perfect? No! But by far the best. You were not given the opportunity. No, your ancestors burdened by the Yoke of high taxes without representation, government controlled religion, and impossible regulations on earning a decent living drove them out of desperation to seek freedom elsewhere. They set sail to the world of the unknown and obscure uncivilized land to pursue the opportunity to live free, to worship free, to
make their own way, and to die free. The colonies of America were built from sweat, blood, tears, disease, and massacre to continue to be held under bondage of taxes to England. Their trade for survival taxed and pirated on the open seas forced them yet again to make a stand. Be free from oppression or die. Even then the politicians of New England pressed to compromise freedom and be held captive to the mercy of the King of England, yet others yearned to be free and were willing to die by casting off the yoke of bondage to England. The war of 1812 proved that Americans would battle against impossible odds to win their freedom and to pursue their own dream of competing within the world’s marketplace. Our forefathers not only stood up against the tyranny of England, but were willing to sacrifice all to live free without being enslaved by a governing body that only sought its own gain and power over the very people who produced the wealth.
Again, the forces of oppression and aggression within our own country raised its ugly head and brought brother against brother to arms leaving the dead of thousands upon thousands before reconstruction and eventual healing would again launch the American spirit to succeed.
Our nation, the most benevolent in the history of mankind has sent it’s young and strong as a gift to many other nations in the world wars to fight back and defeat tyranny and enslavement by evil dictators so they to could live to be free and pursue a life of happiness.
Communism, the ideology of evil to enslave a people to serve its captors was vigorously fought by our brave sons to ensure that freedom was not just for the American people, but for all of God’s children in as many nations as possible.
Now we find ourselves struggling from the worst economy since the great depression. Each working family producing only to forfeit more than half their earnings in an incredibly out of balance tax structure geared for the spoils of the elite and to care for those who refuse to contribute themselves. Our politicians that we choose to represent us in congress forgets the struggle of their constituents the moment the moment they arrive in Washington and quickly
become one of the elite. Taxation without representation becomes their
assignment and daily effort.
The working taxpayer is indoctrinated by the political system and is taught and led by the moral compass of political correctness. Our spirits that yearn to succeed and live by our own moral judgments are discouraged by accusations of greed, racism, and extreme religious views which offend those who do not agree.
Our once freedom of speech has been replaced with fear and reprisals in the form of black balling an individual or character assassination and public ridicule with the loss of the individuals job. Americans are unable to keep the country safe and protect its borders do to the fear of offending its very own enemy.
Our country has suffered unprecedented economic crisis due to the open border with Mexico which allows their poor to leave they’re oppression to come to our country to work without tax restrictions and all other expensive regulations so they can send they’re tax free earnings to they’re home country while we provide them with costly health care and other public services which leave our own poor lacking without available resources. Our border with Mexico is the gateway to
America for all other nations to send their terrorist to plot and destroy what they desire while our politicians turn their head as the taxpayer struggles with their burdens and fears.
We silly Americans allow our politicians and elected officials to boldly strip away our constitutional rights, take over private industry and banking institutions that cripple the common man in his potential to make his own way. We allow our
government to hide behind an unscientific principle or theory of environmental scare tactics so they can use it to burden large companies in order to regulate, tax, and fine them.
We silly Americans allow our government to even suggest that they
should interfere with our world leading available medical care so that they can remove our freedom of choice from our health care in order to rob us of more tax money while they in turn give us less quality care and have control over our major medical options when need be.
We Americans sit back comfortably as our elected officials strip us of our constitutional rights and give them to our enemy combatants that killed our children during war and allow them to be turned loose on American streets with full constitutional rights and passage.
We silly Americans allow our government to regulate our right to bear arms so that one day soon they will seperate them from us so that we cannot ensure that our government will not enslave us.
We silly Americans sit back on our lazy behinds and become carelessly idle as our government continues to allow large scale voting fraud and practices to continue to strip us of our power to choose our own leader, furthermore the government continues to try to make voting legal for illegal aliens and felonious criminals.
We silly Americans sit back and let our politicians accuse us of being un-American when we do not agree with their elitist goals for our future.
We silly Americans do nothing during our toughest economic challenges while our president effects the largest payoff for his presidency in the history of politics with our hard earned tax dollars to union thugs and numerous social agenda’s that do nothing to profit the economic situation. And they title this act of theft and payoff a “Stimulus Package” to rub it in the nose of the American
Taxpayer.

We do nothing!

How much longer will we be silly Americans and just give up all that was paid for through centuries of spilled American blood?