FUN-travel: Lovely Inle Lake
October 28, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Lovely Inle Lake
- Land of Long Boats…
…Lily Pads….
…Lotus Flowers…
&…
…the Original “Over the Water” Bungalows!
Word-Of-the-Week #638: Narcissism
October 27, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #638: Narcissism
Narcissism – excessive love or admiration of oneself.
Have you ever been around someone who is narcissistic? Do you work or live with someone who has an inflated sense of self-worth? Do you think that the young workforce today is spoiled and self-centered?
While I am traveling I am re-running my favorite WOW’s from 2009 that are just as relevant today. Jean Twenge Ph.D, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, is the co-author of “Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement.”
In a San Diego Union article Jennifer Davies writes, “Twenge has spent years 
researching the increase in narcissistic behavior, such as seeking special treatment because of an inflated sense of self-worth. She is convinced there is an epidemic gripping the nation – a rise in narcissism among your people, especially among girls. She attributes prevalence of narcissism to such societal forces as the Internet, celebrity culture, easy credit and parenting.”
“She readily acknowledges it’s nearly impossible to shield children from many of the outside influences. But she says there is still plenty modern parents can and should do to word against raising self-centered and self-important children.” Today I share two of the four key points.
- Praise only when true.
Don’t say your kid is a fantastic artist, dancer, sprinter and so on, if he’s not. Those types of compliments are hollow and give a child an inflated sense of self and ill-paced confidence. Parents think this kind of praise helps build self-esteem. But the reality is most kids already have goodly amounts of self-esteem, so there’s no need to bolster it with unwarranted praise. Remember, praising your child as special is different from telling your kid you love him. “Telling you love them creates a bond,” says Twenge.
- Kiss the princess stuff goodbye.
Even though little girls are seemingly hard-wired to fall in love with all things princess, Twenge advises caution. Don’t buy rhinestone-embellished shirts that say “Little Princess” or “Diva.” If your daughter is the princess, you are not the queen. You become her subject, obeying her every wish. She said princess dress-up is fine because it encourages imagination, but try to avoid treating your daughter, or your son for that matter, as royalty.”
This week focus on your how you’re parenting your children, grand-children and employees (they are your kids too.) Are they self-centered? Do they have over inflated egos? Do you give realistic praise? Do you tell them you love them? Are you setting a good example?
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FUN-travel: Wonderfully Cool Kalaw & Caves
October 26, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Wonderfully Cool Kalaw & Caves
- At nearly 4000 ft above sea level…
Cave Buddha
…this mountain retreat…
…with its cool breezes…
…is a welcome respite…
…from the oppressive heat & humidity of the last 10 days!
Today’s adventure…
…a trek through the pine forest…
…ending in the fields…where local villagers…
…with water buffalo tractors…
…are picking their crops…
…green beans, eggplant & carrots…
- After working in the fields all day…
…grandma was taking a much deserved break….
…and enjoying her grandchildren.
- Our trek ended…
…at the 313 meter long lime stone caves…
…containing hundreds of Buddha images.
FUN-fact – After I took this picture I recognized her so went in for the close up.
FUN-travel: Myanmar Makeup
October 25, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Myanmar Makeup
- Popular all over the country…
…paste from ground tree trunks…
…provides sun protection…
…and healing properties.
- Some women get very creative…
…taking “face painting”…
… to a new art form.
FUN-travel Tip – Our guide turned us onto Million Liquor House where you can find some decent wine at really decent prices! They have shops in Mandalay and Yangon.
FUN-travel: Mandalay – Monasteries & Monks
October 25, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Mandalay – Monasteries & Monks
- Initiation Ceremony…a coming of age…for Burmese children…
…boys must enter the monastery… for a minimum of one week
…they can stay or they can go after that…
…girls on the other hand…get their ears pierced…
…Hmmm…seems pretty fair to me!
- U Bein Bridge…built in 1850…
…world’s longest teak footbridge gently curves 1300 yards… monsoon season water levels can easily rise above it…
FUN-fact: Discovery Channel is filming in Mandalay today and has been at every one of our afternoon stops including the Monks evening prayers!
