Taira riding the "horse" at Brookstone

Brad & Beth at Whippersnappers

Several friends from Kansas came to Branson this past weekend for a mini-vacation. We started off with a visit to the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at Whippersnappers. While there we stuffed ourselves with lobster, crab legs, gumbo, fried shrimp, and much more...basically eating like an unstoppable cancer. Following the meal, we toured the Titanic museum, made a stop at the Landing, watched the fountain show, and then ended our evening by partaking of delicious delights at Coldstone Creamery.
Saturday was filled with shopping, shopping, and if I remember correctly, some more shopping. We were also able to see "The Guardian" that afternoon. That evening we dined at famous Greek restaurant known as Papouli's, in Reed Springs, MO.
I finished off the weekend with a somewhat painful, yet humorous experience that I am not ready to share at the moment, but I will keep you informed.

Baby Akram Update

Growing like a little weed... :-)

Break Time

Snapped these shots while some of my co-workers and I were on break today. We are experiencing perfect weather here right now.

Misty and I were a little bored the other day and went outside here at work to chat and goof off. While there, we got a little creative with the hanging potted plants. Do you think a hairstyle like this is me?

Labor Day

My parents and my sister, Paula, came to visit over Labor Day weekend. It was really nice having them here for a few days. We visited the Branson Landing and watched the fountains, did some shopping, and also went to Silver Dollar City.

Mom & Dad at the Landing

Paula at the Landing

Bass Pro

Happy Anniversary!

My blog is one year old today!

Branson Landing

I visited the Branson Landing a few nights ago and took these shot of the fountain. I know the one looks like a bomb exploding, but actually it was during the performance of the "Star Spangled Banner" with the flames shooting behind the water. It's really more impression in real life than the photo makes it appear.

Seminar Update

Yesterday's seminar was a huge, I repeat, HUGE success! It was totally different than any other seminar I have ever attended. The morning began with a warm-up session of exercises and knocking beach balls around the auditorium. Next was the "Twist Off", as I call it. Each office competed against each other by doing the "Twist". My office took second place. We were also entertained by special guests Darren Romeo "The Voice of Magic", and the Blues Brothers of Legends. Our main speaker was from OTC and introduced the FISH! philosophy, which surprisingly, our office already incorporates to a certain extent. We finished the afternoon off by watching to movie "Rudy" which is based on the life of Rudy Ruttinger. We all came away motivated, energized and ready to take on the world....or at least the rude customers who come our way day to day. :-)

Darren Romeo performing a card trick

Darren concentrating on the card trick

Elwood, Owner John Wallen, Gen. Mgr. Tanya, & Jake

General Manager Tanya tries to imitate Jake's moves

Seminar

Thursday, August 24, 2006, our company will be holding a seminar at the College of the Ozarks' Keeter Center (See photo). I will keep you posted on all the fun stuff that happens tomorrow.

I think this kid gets cuter everyday!

Stacey sent me this more recent photo of Akram taken a few days ago.

I had the privilege of seeing my friends Brad, Beth, and Roseann this past weekend. We met halfway at the Outback Steakhouse and spent several hours eating, talking, and laughing. It was fun. Here's a photo of Brad and Beth before digging into our meals.

I visited Stacey & Ahmed last evening and had the privilege of holding the newest addition to their family. He napped the entire time I was there, even with me holding him!

Wedding Bells

My cousin, Amanda has announce her engagement and will be getting married this December. Click here to view the slide show. Don't they make a lovely couple?

It seems that all I ever do anymore is work and eat....with a little sleep thrown in now and then. Tuesday was no exception. For lunch, the company I work for treated my entire department to a meal at the local Outback. While there, we also celebrated Monique's birthday. We all had fun and over-ate, as usual. I had every intention of taking more photos but quickly discarded the idea once the appetizers arrived. :-)

Who Said Shopping Can't Be Fun?!

Is That a TV Evangelist I See?

Fun Weekend

I had a few visitors over the weekend. My friend, Beth, from KS, her mom, Brenda, cousin Janet, and friend Dorthy came to Branson for a couple days. It was so fun hanging out with them, shopping, swimming 'til 3 in the morning, eating out, and more shopping... The pics are of us at Coldstone Creamery. They serve the best ice cream in the world!

It's A Boy!

My friends, Ahmed & Stacey, are the proud parents of a baby boy named Akram. He was born Sat. morning weighing in at 8lbs 6oz and 21 1/2 inches long.
Congratulations!

What Kind of English Do I Speak?

Your Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English

15% Dixie

10% Yankee

5% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Why Visit Branson?

It seems different ones have been asking this question. Click here to read an interesting article on why people are visiting Branson.

Tourist Day

Since we work in the tourism/entertainment industry it helps if we can somehow relate to our client. To do so we named today "Tourist Day" here at the office. Several participated by dressing up like so many of the tourists we see day in and day out. Hope you enjoy the pic.

Left to Right Standing: Pat, Annette, Angie, Monique, Rick, Kelley

In Front: Tia, Igloo Cooler, Dan

Branson Landing

A few nights ago I ventured down to the new Branson Landing. It is much nicer than I expected. I decided to try out the camera feature on my new cell phone. I am fairly pleased with the results.

Motorola RAZR V3c

I am now the proud owner of this sleek, trim, and stylish phone. (Mine is NOT in pink!) My old cell was giving me a lot of problems so I went to trade it in today. It's a long story, and I won't bore you with all the details, but I got an awesome deal!

Company Picnic

A couple weeks ago we had our company picnic at Moonshine Beach on Tablerock Lake here in Branson. The day started off full of sunshine but quickly turned cloudy and then rained. Thankfully we had reserved a very large shelter. Famous Dave's BBQ catered the meal. Every employee was given a goodie bag which included beads, a mask, and other mardi gras accessories. It was fun!

btw... The photo at the top is of Kelley's Baby Hummer. She finally let me drive it!!!

One Liners

A friend of mine sent this to me today. I have seen most of these before, but they are still good the second time around.

Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.
Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.
It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
Peace starts with a smile.
I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?!
A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.
We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
God grades on the cross, not the curve.
God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
He who angers you, controls you!
If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!
Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!
The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
We don't change the message, the message changes us.
You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to..........discourage him.
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails= 4 given.

Birthday

Today, when I walked into my place of employment I found a nice surprise at my cubicle. My co-workers had decided to celebrate my birthday(5/13) and had decorated my cubicle. They also showered me with cards, gifts, cupcakes, and even paid for my lunch at the local Thai restaurant. I truly believe I work with the best!

Attitude

My good friend, Kelley G, shares some really good material with me from time to time. I thought I would share with my fellow bloggers as well.
It's amazing how much our attitude can affect the situation we are in. Hope you enjoy the story below

Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, hewould reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a natural motivater. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, "I don't get it! You can'tbe a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Michael repli ed, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Mike, youhave two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or youcan choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. " Each time something bad happens, I can choose to bea victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learnfrom it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose toaccept their complaining or I can point out the positive side oflife. I choose the positive side of life."Yeah, right . It's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Michael said. "Life is all about choices". When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations.You choose how people will affect your mood.You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood.The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."I reflected on what Michael said. Soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.I saw Michael about six months after the accident.When I asked him how he was, he replied. "If I were anybetter, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see hi s wounds, but did ask him whathad gone through his mind as the accident took place."The first thing that went through my mind was the well-beingof my soon to be born daughter," Michael replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live." "Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Michael continued, "...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man.' I knew I needed to take action." " What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Michael. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. " Yes " , I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, "Gravity." Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operateon me as if I am alive, not dead'."Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but alsobecause of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.