Life is Like A Journey On A Train

Life is like a journey on a train…
with its stations…
with changes of routes…
and with accidents !

By: Mark Anthony – http://www.evidenceofeternity.com/blog/life-is-like-a-journey-on-a-train/

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We board this train when we are born and our parents are the ones who get our ticket.
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We believe they will always travel on this train with us.
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However, at some station our parents will get off the train, leaving us alone on this journey.
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As time goes by, other passengers will board the train, many of whom will be significant – our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of our life.
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Many will get off during the journey and leave a permanent vacuum in our lives.
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Many will go so unnoticed that we won’t even know when they vacated their seats and got off the train !
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This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, good-byes, and farewells.
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A good journey is helping, loving, having a good relationship with all co passengers…
and making sure that we give our best to make their journey comfortable.
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The mystery of this fabulous journey is :
We do not know at which station we ourselves are going to get off.
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So, we must live in the best way – adjust, forget, forgive and offer the best of what we have.
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It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to leave our seat… we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.”
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Thank you for being one of the important passengers on my train… don’t know when my station will come… don’t want 2 miss saying: “Thank you”

Word’s From Andy Rooney – I’ve Learned

I absolutely love Andy Rooney’s sayings. He teaches people a lot about life and so many other things.

Take two minutes to read these sayings and be sure to read all the way to the bottom:

Written by Andy Rooney, a man who had the gift of saying so much with so few words. Rooney used to be on 60 Minutes t.v. show.

I’ve learned ….
That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I’ve learned ….
That when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve learned ….
That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.

I’ve learned ….
That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I’ve learned ….
That being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned ….
That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I’ve learned ….
That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in any other way.

I’ve learned ….
That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I’ve learned ….
That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I’ve learned ….
That simple walks with my father around the block on summer
nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I’ve learned ….
That life is like a roll of toilet paper.
The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I’ve learned ….
That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.

I’ve learned ….
That money doesn’t buy class.

I’ve learned ….
That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I’ve learned …
That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I’ve learned ….
That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I’ve learned ….
That when you plan to get even with someone,
you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I’ve learned ….
That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I’ve learned ….
That the easiest way for me to grow as a person
is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I’ve learned ….
That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I’ve learned ….
That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I’ve learned …
That life is tough, but I’m tougher.

I’ve learned ….
That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I’ve learned ….
That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I’ve learned ….
That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her
one more time before she passed away.

I’ve learned ….
That one should keep his words both soft and tender,
because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I’ve learned ….
That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I’ve learned ….
That when your newly born grandchild holds your little
finger in his little fist, you’re hooked for life.

I’ve learned ….
That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain,
but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.

I’ve learned ….
That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Is 2015 Really Almost Over? Can’t Believe it.

Yesterday, when I woke up, It was a brand new month in 2015. I can’t believe October is here already. To me, when October comes it means that the year is almost over. 3 Months to go until 2016. Where did this year go? It was an absolute busy year for me and so much more until December 31st. I already see Christmas merchandise in the stores, Halloween, Thanksgiving things. The only thing about these months until April is that it is the Fall, its cold, freezing and Winter that I absolutely despise.

What are your plans for Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas?

I am excited to go on my 13th trip to Cuba soon. I absolutely love Cuba a lot. I go all over the place. I don’t just go to one destination.

Was 2015 good to you? Mine was, and I ended up doing quite a bit of traveling to Los Angeles, California, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, and among many other places, but there were some unfortunate things that did happen in my year, but everything turned out well in the end. Well, lets see what the next 3 months of 2015 has in store for me.

I wish you all the best for the rest of 2015 and beyond.

The 2013 Armenian Toronto ACC Summerfest Was A Great Success

This year from July 12, until the 14th, 2013 The Armenian Community Center of Toronto held a huge party under the tent for the Armenian community and this year was the 17th season. This year like from the year our Summerfest have begun, they have become a great success from bringing many known Armenian and International Performers from Dancers, to Singers, Comedians, Radio Broadcasters and so many more surprises that occur each year. The Armenian Summerfest is held at the Armenian Community Youth Center Parking lot.

This year many Armenian singers from Los Angeles, Lebanon, Cambridge Ontario, Montreal, and other places attended and sang at our Summerfest and they are Ararad Aharonian, Khoren Mouradian, Onnig Dinkjian our folk Traditional Singer, Kevork Artinian, Armenchik, and Andy Madadian with their bands that graced our stage with their incredible and beautiful talent in our Armenian Culture singing a variety of songs from slow to fast and while the crowd was dancing traditional Armenian Dances as well as just dancing with family, friends and enjoying our time with our Armenian community. Some of the performers also did a duet on stage as well which blew the crowd away and people were dancing like no tomorrow. We were then Broadcasted live from our Radio Station present and that is Setrak Garabedian who traveled from Montreal, and his radio station is called TrikTrak With Setrak and he updated and tuned those people who were unable to join at the Summerfest across the world so they too can enjoy with us.

The purpose of the Armenian Summerfest is to bring the Armenian community together, to strengthen our bonds, to make new friends, to reuniting people who have not seen each other in a while, and nowadays people meet each other on Facebook and make friends on the social networking site and people connect in person together for the first time or many times before and it makes Summerfest to be a smaller world when people reunite together. People of All ages were in attendance at the Summerfest which made us into one big happy family of our Community. a few thousand people were in attendance this year.

There were many vendors and traditional cultural Armenian and Middle Eastern Food and Desserts for people to enjoy while at the summerfest, there was also a Kids area where there was deflatable playing centers, Along with Cotton Candy, Ice Cream, and So many things to do for people of all ages.

I am glad that I attended all 3 nights and I got to reunite with my Friend whom I call a sister from Montreal, I got to see my friend from Boston who I had not seen since last year, and I saw all my facebook friends and some I met for the first time. It was so incredible and It was special time. I had such a great time and My face was always smiling and I was just so happy all around.

I would like to personally thank the Organizing committee of the Annual Summerfest and I appreciate all the hard work, commitment, dedication, nights and days that are put to pull of a huge event with renting of the big tent, organizing and planning the performers, the food, the communications, advertising committees and so many more things that go into planning an event. Thanks again and I am excited for the 18th year in 2014. Thanks for a fun weekend. Until next time.

Spring Is Almost Here! Excited For That. Are You?

After the many months of winter, this is the moment I always wait for, I really like this time of year when it becomes Mid March, I really enjoy it when our weather gets warmer, and when the winter is behind us in a way and almost time when the trees start growing its leaves again, when the grass gets greener, the roads are washing away from the salt and snow, when everywhere gets thawed out, mild temperatures start and increase by day, when the flowers start to grow again, colour and life comes back after the cold, dark, wintry days, the tulip and other spring  flowers blooming, the spring air and smell of mud, dandelions start to grow, the smell of top soil, garden centers open, outdoor furniture, barbecues, outdoor equipment starts coming back into the stores, spring colours, clothing and bright vibrant colours come back on our store shelves,  the sunlight shines, birds start chirping, animals come out of hibernation, the geese fly back north. I just love this time of year when life comes back. I am so tired of winter, snow and having to bundle up every time I go out. I’d love to go somewhere for 5-6 months of the year and not see snow and be part of the cold freezing weather and not wear layers outside.

I also like spring because it gives me a time to wash the cars and I love washing my car, washing the car mats, detailing and getting rid of the winters salt and sand they put on the streets, and taking care of it. I also like to wash out my driveway and clean up my garage, having to put the shovels away, and just enjoying the whole process of getting rid of winter. It is my favourite.  I am a person who loves vibrant colours, who loves warmer weather, the beautiful sun shining, and among when the days get longer. I really didn’t enjoy when the days get shorter and it would be dark before 5pm. I really enjoy it when time and daylight time increases. In June and July it is still sunlight after  8:30 and you would still see a bit of light after 9pm too. those are the days I love, plus you don’t feel that the night is dragging on so long and plus it gets brighter earlier in the morning and its so refreshing and you start your day earlier and you appreciate the daylight and days. I also like getting rid of the boots and jackets I wear and pack them up for 5-6 months of the year.

I really enjoy sitting on the patio, I like driving with my windows down, listening to vibrant music, going camping, and I enjoy leisure time away too.

What season do you like? Do you also enjoy spring and summer months? What do you mostly enjoy when the weather starts getting warmer? What activities do you like doing outdoors? Would love to hear form you. Happy Spring!

The Days Are Getting Closer To My Travels – I Am So Excited

I cannot believe how quick the days are approaching to my travels to California and Las Vegas. It will be my first time in both places. I cannot wait until I see Welcome to the fabulous Las Vegas and Welcome to California.  I will be visiting Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon as well. Since were right there. All those Western, and all those other types of movies on the desert will be on my mind as I travel from Vegas to California,to name a few such as the Griswolds of National Lampoons Vegas Trip, or those movies where they would be on the desert. Traveling is a big deal in my life and I love to see so many places. I’d like to give a big recognition and thank you to my father for getting me on the way and seeing the world. I have to thank him very much. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be going to half the places, I would be going to all my life. Traveling is precious to me. I love going to different places in the world and getting out of my city.

You know when some people say when I retire, I will travel, but sometimes when people retire, they start having pains in their body and then won’t be able to travel anymore. My dad always says, go live life to the fullest, your not going to take anything with you. Might as well as invest that money and go away and travel, and enjoy, see the world, You come with nothing and go with nothing. Yes although saving money is important on a rainy day and if something happens or whatever, but if your the type that likes to travel, do it. and go for it.

I love knowing and experiencing different places. I know there is the internet and encyclopedia’s to learn about different countries and such, but it is a lot different when you go there physically and experience it up close and personal. I am so fortunate like I said for my father to have taken me to all these places, and when he sent me to Armenia with my grade 8 Armenian School Graduating class. I was 14 years old when I went to Armenia the first time in summer of 1999. I saw my Armenia Motherland and that was ultimately one of the most beautiful trips I had gone to with touring Paris, France first before getting on the plane to Armenia.

Well, Anyway, I am super excited! Counting down the days. 🙂

What A Great Night – I Love Summer Nights

Last night with a few great friends I have known for years, we went and had a nice relaxing time by the waterfront of Lake Ontario, and we decided to have a little bonfire and just chill out and look at the clear sky with so many stars. It was so beautiful. We always do this once a month during the summer time. We try to spend as much we can outdoors. After about 2-3 hours that past, there were these awesome people who came by and said hello and asked if they can join us around our fire pit. We said yes sure, so we met new people and they seemed like pretty nice people. Especially the one who initiated and asked. So they were kind enough to bring us some more firewood as we had run out of it, which we said thank you and they stood with us for a good a hour or so, and then they said thanks for sharing the fire with us, then they left and we were still there. We left around 1:30 almost 2am. It was a lovely night I won’t forget. A night full of laughter, stories and many more. I wish it can stay summer forever here, but unfortunately not. I love not having to worry about jackets and long clothes. lol

I love summer nights. Its so relaxing and not cold at all, and just taking in the summer air is so fabulous. We were a bit out of the city and the air was clean and so peaceful without lights and all that action. There were not too many people at the park and at the waterfront and it was great without all that commotion from other places. It is nice to get away from the grind of life and just go relax without nothing to think about. I remember when we first went together as a group, it was something that we said, hey lets do this again, and we chose a place where it is nice and peaceful, but everyone once in a while there would be the go train passing by or the VIA Rail, and other trains, but it is cool to see them. They go ever so fast. It is nice to see that too. So it was almost time to leave, so we put out the fire with Lake Ontario water, and then we were packing up to go, and while walking to our cars, we felt ever so relaxed and we hung out some more by the cars. We can never get enough of each other and we always try to stick together and be together no matter what we do. Every Friday nights we hang out, go out to different restaurants, and just have an awesome time together. I have such a nice group of friends and it has been years that we have been doing this. Maybe over 5 years that is for sure.

Gotta love the outdoors and how a bonfire brings people together. Even total strangers who came by and hung out with us. That was something really neat and I won’t ever forget that. They were nice young people. They were in their late teens to early 20’s. They seemed like calm and lovely people, so we invited them over. They really appreciated that and they thanked us and they shared with us too. All the best to them. It is nice to be inviting and accepting of others. It is a beautiful thing. Being kind and being inviting is great, because I believe in Karma and I believe that what goes around comes around, so be kind to others and good things will come to you like the extra fire wood they gave us which lasted us for the remainder of the night. Without that, we wouldn’t have had anymore. So the moral of the story is, be kind and share. Even to total strangers, and they will appreciate it. I experienced a new kind of humanity last night. That was something I will never forget.

July Will Be A Month Full Of Travels

Well, hello July! We meet again. Another month has come by of 2012. I plan to make the most of it. This Month I will be doing a lot traveling by car to Several places, such as Niagara Falls again twice, then I will be heading to Montreal. This year of 2012, has been a travel year for me. I cannot wait to go to California and Las Vegas this year as well. Nothing great like traveling. I am so exciting to be going and seeing my friends In Montreal. They have not seen me in a while and I can’t wait to drive down to see them. They keep saying, Talin when are you coming to your happy place again? When are we going to see each other again? I said end of July for sure. I love road trips, that do not exceed more than 8-10 hours. I have a lot of things to do this month as well. I have so many plans to do new things as well, and enjoy summer as much as I can outdoors while the weather co-operates and is great. There is a possibility I may head to Wasaga Beach in Ontario, Canada someday soon. Maybe during the week.

It is also Canada’s Birthday today, so Happy Canada day! Remember also that today is the soccer match between Italy and Spain. Who do you think is going to win? I am cheering for Italy. VIVA ITALIA! Where will you be watching? I plan to have a nice restful time at home and watch it or at a relatives house. Lets see how this day progresses. Have fun! Have a safe and happy summer!

 

Summer Is Here! What Are Your Plans?

My Favourite time of the year is here and it is summertime. I have so many plans this summer to travel on a couple of weekends, go camping, going and enjoying with family and friends on barbecues, host my own barbecues, spend a lot of time outdoors, probably see family from out of town, hopefully. I just love summertime. Birds are chirping, the weather is warm, everywhere is green, flowers blooming, beautiful sunshine, people outside playing, more outdoorsy stuff. Its such a beautiful time of year. I remember so many times when I was a kid, we used to go to Amusement parks like Canada’s Wonderland, CNE, Ontario Place, Centreville, but then I grew out of that phase now. Now I don’t think I can sit on those rides and be in those places. I am glad I got to enjoy all that with family and friends. Now it is all about relaxation and having fun at the same time, but other forms of fun.

I remember in the summertime we used to go up to our cottage in Tweed, Ontario until we sold it over 10 years ago, but I guess each thing has its phase and has its time. Now I like to travel on weekends. This summer I won’t probably go back to Montreal, but I will be traveling in Ontario. I still haven’t made those plans yet, but I should within the next couple of weeks. There is only 2 and a half months of summer, so might as well enjoy it to the max and make plans. I love making plans, but sometimes it doesn’t follow through, but then again making plans is a great thing to do. It keeps me organized and it keeps me in line with life and everything I want to do. Sometimes plans to pan out, but at least plans were made.

So what are your plans for the summer? What are you doing with family and friends?

Have a safe and happy summer!

 

Loving The Outdoors…

It is that time of year again, where people get out from the winter hibernation and go out to explore nature and go outside to enjoy the weather and everything else. I cannot wait to go to my first lake front relaxation with my friends. Its going to be an incredible night I feel it. I will still dress a little warmly, but I just love the outdoors and everything. Once May Hits, I am usually out and about and traveling, driving more, and enjoying the much needed warm weather we need. Living in Canada is great though. I cannot complain, but I love the weather when it becomes April, May all the way to October. I have been an outdoors person since I was a kid and I couldn’t wait for picnics, camping, fishing, Yes I love to fish and haven’t in such a long time. I know some people are probably wondering, a girl liking to fish? Yes I love to catch fish. Its relaxing, yet fun and also among going to the beach, lake front, just chilling and walking around. I am now doing exercise and when the weather is warmer now, I plan not to do it on my treadmill, I plan on going outside to do my workouts. I will feel it more because the inclines and the levels on the street is a lot different than on the treadmill. You will feel the burn pain a lot more than the treadmill too. I get so excited this time of year after my birthday which passed on Monday and summer and spring makes me feel more cheery and happy.

Winter not so much. I am excited for my first official outdoor outing! yay!