Charles

Khabouth... Guvernment... its the same Charles from club z... not bad....

The Hanukkah Story

A Jewish Struggle for Religious Freedom and National Survival

About 2200 years ago, Greek kings, who reigned from Damascus, ruled over the land of Judea and the Jews living there.

One Greco-Syrian King, Antiochus Epiphanes, forbade the Jewish people from praying to their God, practicing their customs, and studying their Torah. Antiochus forced the Jews to worship the Greek gods. It is said that he placed an idol of the Greek God Zeus on the alter in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem.

In response to this persecution, Judah Maccabee and his four brothers organized a group of resistance fighters known as the Maccabees. They fought against paganism and oppression.

The tenacity of the rebels, which came from their steadfast faith in one God, is one reason this military victory has been so celebrated by Jews in future generations. In one battle near Beit Horon, Judah's small army is intimidated by the size of the enemy army and Judah tells them to have faith that God is on their side:

But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said unto Judah: 'What? shall we be able, being a small company, to fight against so great and strong a multitude? ...' And Judah said: 'It is an easy thing for many to be shut up in the hands of a few, and there is no difference in the sight of Heaven to save by many or by few; for victory in battle standeth not in the multitude of an host, but strength is from Heaven. They come unto us in fullness of insolence and lawlessness, to destroy us and our wives and our children, for to spoil us; but we fight for our lives and our laws. And He Himself will discomfort them before our face; but as for you, be yet not afraid of them." (The First Book of Maccabees)

Against great odds, after three years of fighting, the Maccabees succeeded to drive the Greco-Syrians out of Judea. Hanukkah proclaims the message of the prophet Zachariah: "Not by might, not by power, but by My spirit."

The Maccabees reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. They cleaned the Temple, removing the Greek symbols and statues. When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they rededicated it. On the 25th day of the month of Kislev in 164 BCE, the Temple was purified and rededicated.

According to tradition, when the Maccabees entered the Holy Temple, they discovered that the Greco-Syrians had defiled the oil which was used to Temple's menorah. Only one vat of purified oil remained - enough for only one day. It would take the Jews a week to process more purified oil. Then a miracle occurred. The Maccabees lit the menorah and it burned for not one, but eight days, by which time the new, purified oil was ready. This is why the Hanukkah Menorah has eight candles (not including the shamash candle used to light the others) and one reason why Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days.

What is Kiva?

I have made three loans to three businesses in need. I really like this idea and hopefully it will work for all those individuals trying to start their own businesses. Well, I did make a loan to someone who is looking to repair their home, they both have jobs which I think might allow them to be able to pay back loans, I am not sure if anyone else will buy that. I guess the organisation that is working with them would not recommend the project if they didn't have confidence. The loan is for 18 mos. but this is a home for these people. The other business is a shop and construction company. It reminds me of when I was 17 years old and I sponsored a foster child in Brazil, I felt really good about doing something like that. Anyhow, I really believe that people should help others less fortunate regardless of where they are.

Kiva.org

another frequently occuring dream

This one is just f~Up. I can't understand it, so I'm just going to throw out items, scenarios etc without actually going into a narrative...So in this dream, there is dark house, the main activity takes place in kitchen, I see a fridge, stove, table (more like a booth from some 60s diner). My aunt and I are in this house, the building itself is very narrow, there is a staircase leading to the basement and one upstairs. As we explore this house, there are areas that are hidden or passageways that lead to different areas - this building seems haunted. We return to the kitchen, and I am sitting with my aunt at the table, discussing something, when someone comes into the kitchen, and there head falls off and rolls on the floor. We both run around this house trying to find a way out and all the windows and doors are locked. There are only candles lit, and the flickering has cast shadows on the wall to expose the blood stained walls. I am freaking at this point and we somehow manage to get outside to a unpaved road. We are running through a forest with tall trees. We continue running as something is chasing after us. Finally get to a paved road and are running along the middle yellow line. Something is pulling my aunt up and as I try to catch up, she is rising up further away from me, I can see my outstretched hand trying to catch hers and I can't reach it and I am usually crying at this point, which wakes me up as I am actually crying. So I did go into a narrative. I only sought out a few meanings from the online dictionary. I also included some that I don't remember, but have had dreams about...

• To discover secret passageways in your dream, parallels to something new and/or exciting that is occurring in your waking life. It may refer to new opportunities, a new relationship, or a new attitude toward life. If you wake up before fully exploring these passageways, then it suggests that you may not know how to go about taking advantage of these opportunities or how to move forward with a relationship. Perhaps the newness and uncertainty of this discovery also makes you a little more cautious. This is a positive dream.

• To see a pigeon in your dream, suggests that you are taking the blame for the actions of others. Pigeons also represent gossip or news. You may be expressing a desire to return home.

• To dream of a porch, represents your personality, your social self, your facade and how you portray yourself to others. Consider the condition and size of the porch. In particular to dream of an enclosed porch, suggests of your tendency to distance yourself from others and your desires for privacy.

• To dream of an opened porch, signifies your outgoing nature and welcoming attitude.

• To dream that someone or something is in pursuit of you, indicates that you are refusing to acknowledge a certain viewpoint or idea.

• To dream that you are in pursuit of someone or something, suggests that you are being denied of your power and influence. You need to re-evaluate your strengths and concentrate your efforts in something more worthwhile.

• To see a red hot oven in your dream, symbolizes you will be loved by friends and family for your devotion and unselfish nature. Alternatively, it symbolizes the womb. You may be in anticipation or fear of having children. Consider the phrase " a bun in the oven".

• To dream that your oven is broken, signifies many vexations from children.

• To see a burning candle in your dream, signifies that good luck and hope will be coming your way in small and steady amounts. You are in a comfortable stage in your life and may be seeking spiritual enlightenment. Lit candles are also symbolic of intellect, enlightenment, awareness or the search for truth.

• To dream that you are in a dining room, represents your quest for knowledge and understanding. You may be reaching an important decision in your life.

• To see the woods in your dream, represents life, fertility, rejuvenation, and spring. Alternatively, it symbolizes the unknown and unconscious. You need to be more open-minded to discovering your potential and instinctual nature.

• To dream that you are walking through the woods, signifies your return to an aspect of yourself that is innocent and spiritual.

• To see a staircase in your dream, symbolizes change and transformation.

I have had this dream every other year since my teens. I haven't had it in a while, but the previous dream might be a indicator of things to come.

Dreams

Last evening, well, it was actually early this morning, I awoke around 4:30am and I was terrified by a nightmare - it wasn't the usual nightmare I have every so often (it has occurred annually) - this one was just different.

In my dream, I am in a house that is fairly dark/antique looking walls, lit candles, green/black wall coverings, redwood furniture, burgundy rug (Persian style), a wall that looks like it has window shutters with a round or warped round shape in brick on the wall, it looks like it was a window but is blocked by bricks and could be picture or something. I am playing a game (video). I also find myself getting on a plane going somewhere back and forth (short distance), but I am always in a waiting area to board planes and when I get off the plane I am in front of a ATM machine. At one point I get on the plane and it is the last plane going across the country (west). I remember thinking, great, now I will have to wait forever before I can get home. When I return, I am back in the house, and playing the game. At this point, I am not happy to play this game, but something is forcing me to do it. I am no longer in control. I see myself flying over a neighbourhood, I point at different houses and see things happening inside, I am able to make things happen. I have powers to control what happens. I start to panic as I make flames on a stove with a frying pan and then I am pushing a person crossing the street - these are incidents that I see and control. To think I am able to have all this power is scary and I want it to stop. I then find myself sitting in a dinning room floor while playing this game. I don't want to play anymore, I put the game down and lie on the floor but the cord of the game controller seems to grow longer and is trying to wrap itself around me to strangle me. I panic again as I look at the wall with the object/window shutters, it appears to move / breath. I feel as if there is something in the room, evil, and my heart beats quicker as I try and find a way out. I feel trapped and I can't stop the evil from taking over. For some reason, I end up ordering a guidebook (now, why I would do this is beyond me...) and it tells me to quit the game I have to enter some combination code and say I don't want to play anymore. The dream ends when I wake up and I am sweating and having a hard time breathing. I feel exhausted as if I have been somewhere.

So I need to understand what the hell that was all about. I couldn't sleep afterwards at least until it was light out and I had found a distraction...I was exhausted and ended up calling in sick. I always feel guilty when I call in - why should I ?

Meaning source: dreammoods.com

• To dream that you computer has a mind of its own, denotes anxiety about technology and loss of control. You are feeling overwhelmed and feel that you are at the mercy of another.

• To see a frying pan in your dream, represents completeness in love. Alternatively, it suggests that you need to start accepting the consequences of your actions. You may have found yourself in an inescapable situation.

• To dream that you are in a panic, indicates a lack of control and power in your life. You may be feeling helpless in some situation or unable to make a clear decision.

• To dream that you are a passenger, suggests that you are not in control of your life and are letting others decide for you. To see other passengers signifies, that you are spending too much energy pleasing others. You may feel that others are leeching on you.

• To see a blurry picture in your dream, suggests that your memory of the depicted event, incident, or people, is fading. Perhaps you need to let go of the past and stop holding on to what was and concentrate on what is. On the other hand, you are attempting to disguise a situation and refusing to see it as it really is. You need to learn acceptance.

• To dream that you are playing, suggests your tendency to go against the norm and break the rules of convention. You have unrestricted creativity. Alternatively, it may be an indication that you are all work and no play.

• To dream that you are pointing at someone or something, indicates that you need to pay more attention to that particular person or object. They may be showing you the way to solving a problem in your waking life.

• To dream that you are possessed, represents your state of helplessness and not being in control of things.

• To dream that you have power, indicates your growing confidence, high self-esteem and increasing skills. Alternatively, your dream of power may try to compensate for a waking situation in which you were powerless.

• To dream that you feel fear, signifies that you achievements will not be as successful as you had anticipated. You are having anxieties in certain circumstances of your life.

• To dream that you do not have enough oxygen, suggests that you are feeling suffocated or smothered by a situation in your life.

• To see a cable in your dream, represents your stamina and durability. If the cable is frayed or broken, then it signifies a lack of strength.

• To see a burning candle in your dream, signifies that good luck and hope will be coming your way in small and steady amounts. You are in a comfortable stage in your life and may be seeking spiritual enlightenment. Lit candles are also symbolic of intellect, enlightenment, awareness or the search for truth.

• To dream of being or going abroad, indicates an unbalance and chaos to your current situation and condition. Consequently, you the dream represents you need for change in scenery. Alternatively, you may need to expand your horizons and make some drastic changes in your life. You are experiencing a new sense of spirituality. Lastly, the dream could also indicate a new to escape a current situation.

• To see an airplane in your dream, indicates that you will overcome your obstacles and rise above to a new level of prominence and status. You may experience a higher consciousness, new-found freedom and greater awareness.

• To dream that you transfer planes, implies an important transitional phase in your life which will take you away from your intended path. Changes will occur in your life which will take you to new directions and new heights of status and recognition.

• To see demons in your dream, represents ignorance, negativity, distress or your shadow self. It also forewarns of overindulgence and letting lust give way to your better judgment. As a result, your physical and mental health may suffer.

• To see the devil in your dream, signifies negative aspects of yourself. It may also indicate feelings of guilt that you have been harboring. It is time to release these feelings. Alternatively, the devil may represent intelligence, cunningness, deception, and cleverness.

• To dream that you fought off the devil, symbolizes that you will succeed in defeating your enemies.

• To dream that you are in a dining room, represents your quest for knowledge and understanding. You may be reaching an important decision in your life.

• To dream that you are playing a video game, represents your ability to manipulate others into doing what you want them to do. Alternatively, it suggests that you are trying to escape and not confront the stress and problems in your real life. Consider the type of video game for additional insights.

• To see or dream that you are a character in a video game, suggests that you are feeling controlled and manipulated by others. You feel that you have no control over your actions or are not taking responsibility for them.

• To dream that you are making a voyage in your dream, foretells of an inheritance.

• To see a wall in your dream, signifies limitations. obstacles and boundaries. There is a barrier obstructing your progress. You may have been accustomed to your old habits and way of thinking.

• To dream of going west, represents fulfillment, opportunities, and growth. Alternatively, it may symbolize an ending of something, death, or old age.

• To see shut windows in your dream, signifies desertion and abandonment.

• To see a wire in your dream, symbolizes your short but frequent journeys.

• To dream that you or someone else is being strangled, denotes that you are repressing or denying a vital aspect of your expression.

• To dream that you are suffocating, signifies that you are feeling smothered or oppressed by some situation/relationship. Something or someone is holding your back. You are experiencing stress and tension.

I guess that's food for thought....

right or left brain...

Brain Lateralization Test Results

Right Brain (40%) The right hemisphere is the visual, figurative, artistic, and intuitive side of the brain. Left Brain (48%) The left hemisphere is the logical, articulate, assertive, and practical side of the brain

Are You Right or Left Brained?
personality tests by similarminds.com

La Mer

I finally received the lotion and toner from fragrancenet.com and I have to say - this stuff is amazing! I couldn't believe how smooth my skin felt after using it. unbelievable. Unfortunately, for the price, its not something I could continue using on a regular basis.

Paul Van Dyk at Koolhaus

Last evening, I went to see PVD... it was a a great show, but felt that the price of the ticket really wasn't worth it. Don't get me wrong, I love Paul ~ but I'd rather pay $40/50 (euros) to see him in Berlin (or any other European country because they know how to party - they are there to dance and appreciate the musik, whereas, the idiots I was surrounded by at Koolhaus spent more time taking pictures and gawking at him. It was difficult to dance when you have people constantly walking in front of you to take a picture - and then there were the drunks. G~d, I can't stand people who can't handle their alcohol and insist on trying to have a conversation or get into fights or just can't stand straight - I spent more time avoiding people who were bumping into me, or just trying to walk through the crowd. I was checking out his website and notice that he will be in Berlin on December 15... oh I wish I could be there. I wonder what Andreas is up to?

the Power Within

Yesterday, I was one of what seemed like thousands of people who turned out to hear William Jefferson Clinton. I was very much impressed with his message ~ and it could not come at a better time. I mentioned a lot of statistical information (far too much too many stats to repeat here) and it only brought to light his message. I am guessing he is on a book tour as they were selling his book, "Giving, How Each of Us Can Change The World'. In other words, as private citizens, don't wait for the government to do something or the private corporations; we should be the ones"... to seek out what each of us, "regardless of income, available time, age, and skills", can do to help, to give people a chance to live out their dreams." I was inspired.

The book can be purchased from amazon.ca for only $14.97! (and free shipping if you purchase $39 or more).

I am in the mood to watch Raise the Red Lantern or Memoirs of A Geisha...in fact, I would love to travel to Japan ~ something I will look into next year.

marilyn monroe

Christmas is coming...

Another month and we will be full swing into the madness of christmas shopping. I normally wait until the very last minute to consider any gifts and by then, I usually buy a couple of inexpensive gifts with a card and some cash. I know, I should be more familiar with what ma famille likes, but I just can't put up with the stress of looking for gifts for people who are related to me by blood - I know nothing about what they really like. Really sad, I am trying to reach out and get to know at least my neice and nephew.

My First In-car Driving Lesson

I finally had my first in-car lesson. Oh my g~d, I can't believe I was driving down the road, went through the lights, at which point I started to panic because I thought, oh g~d, please don't let me crash. It was amazing! I'm laughing to myself as I go over that whole lesson - I was like, oh wait there's someone walking down the street, oh there's a car on that side of the road - meanwhile both were far enough away :-) My instructor said that my ideal driving conditions would be a road to myself, since I am not confident with other people, cars on the road. Ha, isn't that the truth. Anyhow, over time, I am sure it will get better.

My next lesson is next Saturday, and I get to practice turning... now I really wish I had someone to practice with.