Henriet's Blog

Men: Beware of these 9 Phrases

My mother sent this to me via email. Have you seen it before? These "Nine words and phrases women use" are written as a warning guide for men. It's funny because it's so true. I was surprised that after significant personal growth and 30 years of marriage this still applies! Do you relate?

Guys, this one is for you! I hope it helps!

Nine words and phrases women use... (a communication guide for men)*

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6. That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question or faint. Just say you're welcome. (Warning clause: This is true unless she says, "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome"... That will bring on a 'whatever').
8. Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying, "Go to h#!!..."
9. Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

* Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology.

Thanks to Dina Dijkxhoorn via Erskine Austin for sending this to me. Do you have a funny story, great quote or cartoon? Please send them to me at info@sempervita.org and I'll share them on Fridays!

MBTI Type Humor: Which chicken are you?

I shared this cartoon on my Semper Vita Institute blog. Sometimes our Holiday celebrations can be stressful. Can you relate? Which chicken are you? :)

Holland is in the World Cup Finals...and Fans are Keeping the Faith!

It's been a 32-year drought for fans of the Netherlands. The last time Team Orange made it to the World Cup finals was in 1978! They came in second...we (all Dutch fans) are definitely looking for a different result.

Everyone with any Dutch blood has been glued to the television each time this team steps on the field. Many of us have also been watching all the other soccer games during this World Cup. Dutch fans are living the dream. A reported 2500 Dutch people are in South Africa, supporting their team. My mom and I call each other after each game just to relive the excitement.

During the last game, 60,000 fans were watching the game in the Museum Plein (Museum Square) in Amsterdam. That's not counting the fans in Rotterdam, the Hague and other Dutch cities. The team is on fire. The fans are on fire.

Soccer is popular all over the world. It truly is a world sport. Growing up in Holland, I have watched this game for as long as I can remember. It's exciting that it is catching on in the United States. At first I was rooting for both the United States and Holland - since I'm a citizen of both. But really I was for the Dutch mostly. (The U.S. team's time will come.)

Check out these crazy pictures of Dutch supporters following their team. The orange-vehicled convoy stretches 6 kilometers (3.6 miles). It's easy to spot the Dutch supporters - they're oozing orange!

Boldly orange

As a Dutch person, I've been just so excited to follow the team's success. Now it's down to Holland versus Spain. Some of my friends have been calling me crazy because I was up at 4 am for the first two games Holland played in the initial group round. Hey, it's my team. I needed to see it live!

During the first game, my husband, son and I were in our pj's wearing orange hats and scarfs. The Dutch are not shy about showing their orange. (Watch any Olympics and you'll see those boldly orange fans.)

So the Semper Vita-related question for me, thinking through being a great fan, is "As a Christian, do I get this excited about following Jesus? Do I ooze Jesus? Are we so excited about Team Jesus that others can easily spot us? Does our team spirit inspire others?

World Cup Final this Sunday!

This Sunday I'll be rushing home from gathering with the church at Life at the Ridge to watch the World Cup final. I'll be wearing orange and rooting for Holland! Hup Holland Hup! I can report great news next week.

Bloggers Beware

It's a dangerous past-time....

HT: Jane H. my favorite bio prof.

You Name It 2...

Happy Friday!

For the end of this week, I'd like to invite you to come up with a caption for this "Segway Sage" photo.

You Name It...

Happy Friday!

For the end of this week I'd like to invite you to come up with a caption for one of these  photos (or both).