Just Say "No" to Adultery

Advice from Julie:
With South Carolina's Governor Mark Sanford admitting to an affair, many people are shocked and disgusted. How could he do that to his 4 little boys? How could he do that to his wife? However, his story is only singled out because of his position, but the situation is seen repeated in the lives of many other people. Men and women alike submit to temptations and have adulterous affairs.

Could this happen to you? Yes. If you should ever find yourself under certain circumstances, you may find yourself committing adultery. Can you prevent it? Yes. There are steps you can take to avoid these situation. Frequently, I hear of men in minstry positions who are certain to take along a male friend to help keep them accountable when they are away from their wives. This idea can be applied to both men and women. Ask your close friends to help you stay strong and keep you accountable. Don't enter into places where you might tread on "forbidden soil" without someone whom you trust to keep you on the right path.

Travelling to England on a Budget - Tip #1

Advice from Julie:

If you are thinking of travelling to England (or if you are currently there) here's a tip to keep in mind:

One area you can keep your costs down is with food. Shop at grocery stores and limit your visits to restraunts and fast food places.

Truth Be Told (Honesty)

Insight from Julie:

The flight attendant came down the aisle and asked me if I wanted something to drink. "Water, please," I asked. "That'll be $2," she told me. I reached for my wallet and pulled out $2. She came back with my water and the man next to me's Chardonnay. However, she began taking too many orders, that she completely forgot to get my money. I had it stuck in my book, expecting her to come back for it, but she never did. I thought I might just keep the $2 and not worry about it. Afterall, not collecting my money was their problem. By the time we landed, however, I had decided that I would rather be honest and pay the money. So, I did. The flight attendant I was directed to took it from me and then said, "Wow, thanks for being honest." It was then that I realized how rare honesty truly is today. I made someone else astonished and grateful, and, in the process, made myself feel great.

So, my advice: be honest. I know, in todays economy, we're all pinching pennies, but if you owe something, even if it is never claimed, you should pay the debt. Honest people are so rare, today, make yourself one.

Article Saving Craze

Insight from Julie:

Newspapers and magazines have an abundance of useful tidbits about health, crafts, education, etc. You might come across an article about losing weight and think Oh, that's helpful, I'll cut it out. So you cut it out. Well, then what happens to it? Some people might send it to a friend (well, a friend might find an article about losing weight to be an insult, but still, it might get sent) others may pin it on the refridgerator or a bulletin board where they can see it everyday, and yet others may place it in a box, file, or on a pile with hundreds of other weight losing articles that are helpful, but no longer useful after the first read.

Just because something may be interesting, does not mean it is worth saving. When you read an article that strikes your fancy and pick up your sissors to cut it out, stop a moment and think:

1. Will I read this again? If the liklihood of you reading that article again is less than 90%, then don't even bother cutting it out.
2. Will this make someone else's day if I give it to them? If you had someone else in mind while reading this article, think before giving it to them. They might take offense or they may just throw it away. If the article in your hands isn't going to put a smile on their face or impact their lives in a large way, don't cut it out.
3. How often do I come across information similar to this? If the information in your hands is about technology, weight loss, cooking or other constantly changing or always available things, then don't cut it out. It'll be old news by the next day.

Don't clutter your office, bedroom, living room, entire house with article cut outs that no one really wants, not even you (if you really think about it). Newspapers and magazines keep backup files of all these articles. By keep copies yourself, you aren't perserving history for the world (unless 1984 hits and people rewrite history, but in that case there are plenty of other people who will not heed the advice here and will continue their cutting out of articles. Leave the perserving of history to them), you are just causing more clutter for someone (probably your grandchild) to clean up.

The internet is a huge source of information. Many of the articles you come across are also on those papers' and magazines' websites. If you have access to the internet, look them up and then send the link to your friend instead of the actual article.

Of course, sometimes, it's okay to cut out articles. Here are some reasons to cut out and article:

1. An article about someone you know personally such as wedding announcements (you don't have to save articles about Jessica Parkers wedding--unless you were her best friend in highschool)
2. An event that really impacted your life and you want to remember
3. A moving story that you want to paste in your scrapbook or write in your journal about

Trapped in the basement of a theatre?

An insight from Julie:

I watched a "Monk" episode tonight, where Monk sought to prove that a great magician had killed his neighbor. He ends up trapped in the basement under the stage of the magician's auditorium, where the magician planned to kill him. The magician's assistant (and fiance) has a change of heart and, as she takes a cord to "strangle" Monk, she produces the handcuff key from her mouth and precedes to try and pass it to Monk with a kiss. Of course, Monk, with all his phobias, refuses it and the key clatters to the floor in front of the magician. Luckily for the assistant (and Mr. Monk, for that matter), the cops and Natalie arrive just in time.

My point:
First, if you don't already watch "Monk" there is no time like the present to become a fan.
and,
Second, if you ever find yourself tied up in the basement under a stage, and the assistant has a change of heart and desires to pass you the key to your freedom by a brief touch of the lips, KISS HER!

What should i get for $200.00?

What should i get for $200.00? I already have a phone and don't need one... i want something for sports or electronics ~Wealthy

Julie's Answer:

If you don't have to spend it right away, DON'T! Sports equipment and electronics can be pricey. Save the money, put it in a savings account (start one if you don't have one). Then, when you come across something you need or want in those departments, you'll have the money. Don't money today when you could spend it one something better in a month.

What should I say to her?

I have liked a girl for ages now and i went out with her a cople of weeks ago but she dumped me and said, im sorry it wont work. i started talking to her a week ago again and we met up on sunday night and started getting along again really well, she was teling me se liked me and we was kissing all night. she even walked ME home which is about 30 mins from her house. ( i no i should have walked her, but she said she really didnt mind and i would have ot lost other wise) it ended with a kiss and a , i love you. then the next day i opened a convo on msn and started talking to her, she seemed off with me like before. i dont understand because we seemed to be getting along soo well and then suddenly it is like she dont like me again, this is the second time this has happend and i dont know why. i didnt do aything to upset her cos she was still fine when we left each other. it has upset me and i want her back and want her to like me.

any help? ~Help me

Julie's Answer:

MSN is perhaps the worst way to decide if a girl likes you. It doesn't show emotion and is really easy to read something wrong. I have gotten angry at many friends because I misread their instant messages. Often, they didn't even know I was mad at them until I said something. Call her up, ask to meet up with her. Don't tell her she's upset you on the phone, because you have no idea if you have her full attention on the phone, just like you might not have it on MSN. Then, when you're with her, explain to her the thoughts that have been going through your head and ask her flat out what's going through hers. If she's unwilling to solve the problem, then, after you've parted, call up a buddy and go do something and forget about her.