Day 7 - A Little Bit of Bozeman

The day began with us sleeping in... next we had great expectations of hiking the College "M"... those expectations were quickly squashed with a greater desire for a mid-day nap following a few personal chores. Once we were finally out of the house we picked up elk and bison jerky from the local Meat Shoppe.

Then we had every intention of going to Moooo Casa to enjoy a milkshake, however upon arrival Yeoh smelled something good and turns out Moo Casa is now Mooo Casa La
Tinga... half ice cream shop, half Mexican restaurant. The food was good, however my ice cream left something to be desired with its frost bitten aftertaste... while Yeoh enjoyed her creamy Chocolate Moose...

Our next stop was a brief one at the Museum of the Rockies to see Big Mike... featured here :)

Then off to Bozeman Hot Springs & Spa.. where we enjoyed the amenities of the spaand springs. A relaxing evening of soaking in hot tubs which felt wonderful to our aching ski muscles....


We then ran to Bobby's to change and get dolled up to paint the town orange! Per recommendation of Terry Anderson, icon of free market environmental movement :), we decided to grace the wine bar Plonk with our gorgeous presence. There we experienced fine dining, saw two of three African-Americans I have seen in Bozeman on this trip, and Yeoh was almost swept away by a middle age doctor, while I was in
the bathroom checking out the cool tile mosaic Yeoh insisted I see.

Late breaking News

Good Morning all. As my friends and family check back regularly many of you may or may not know. While composing yesterday's blog I got word that my townhome was on fire in South Carolina. No one was injured, which is most important. Had I been home, it was my afternoon "nap time", therefore thank God I was not there. To each of you that have called, emailed, imed, texted... Thank you so much for everything, words cannot express my sincere gratitude. Thank you for your offers of copies of pictures, furniture, clothes, places to stay, and so much more. Not that I doubted it but I truly know that I am loved! I would like to extend a very special thank you to my boyfriend, Kris and my parents who are handling thing until I return. They are a TRUE BLESSING. They requested that I continue to stay in MT and I agree there is nothing I can do there that they cannot handle until I return.

Many of you have expressed concern about me. Just please keep me and my family (biological, extended, and more) in your prayers. I am doing fine, and that I promise. Thanks to my extraodinary family and spectacular friends.

If you are in the area, Upstate South Carolina, and would like to help please contact me and I will either pass along Kris' information to you or let you know something when I do.

For friends and family that are away the following are news articles regarding the fire.

- Greenville News - There are pictures here

- WHNS Local CBS

- WYFF Local NBC - There is a video here with "interviews" of my next door neighbor Brian and the neighbor on the other side of them.

Thank you again.
Love ya,
Liza Corrine

Day 6 - Learning to Ski

My oh my... today Yeoh and I went to the Bridger Bowl and took ski lessons form Instructor, Rick... who was absolutely awesome and PATIENT. That in and of itself was an expereince. For one thing we never left the "Snowflake"(what we called the kiddie slope), however we learned. Then we stopped by the famed, Burger Bobs where I had "The Cardic Arrest" and Yeoh "Buger Bob's Inferno". Now is nap time. This evening the students are coming over for dinner and poker.

Day 5 - Let the Learning Continue

Good Day All! I am not sure why but my blog has been down and I do apologize to those friends and family are checking daily. If you have been following my blog daily go back a few days and I have added pictures.

Today we...
- picked up our special order M.E.L.E.E. vest that turned out great
- had lectures from Holly Fretwell & Don Leal
- Holly's lecture was interesting and discussed everything from incentives to natural burns of forest
- Yeoh, three students and I took a quick trip to Montana State University's Bookstore to pick up some university paraphernalia
- we then went out and had an AWESOME tour of Ted Turner's Flying D Ranch by Russ Miller and Ranch Manager Mark Kossler
- we got to see Bison upclose and personal
... a little about the Flying D taken from www.tedturner.com

Flying D Ranch, Montana
"This stunning 113,600-acre ranch is located in southwest Montana just north of Yellowstone National Park. The Gallatin and Madison rivers comprise the eastern and western borders respectively. The Spanish Peaks Mountain Range run along the southern boundary."

- Yeoh and I then returned to Bozeman for a little shopping and dinner prepared by Bobby and Bentley

And tonight I got to to talk to my sweetheart, mama, daddy (last night), and sister... I love you and miss each of you :)

Day 4 - Let the FORMAL Education Training in MT Begin

Hello yet again from the beautiful let rather cold state of Montana! On last evening the we were introduced to what a think tank actually is by the lovely Jane Shaw of PERC, Property and Environment Research Center.

This morning we were presented a lecture on Green Buildings from physicist, John Scofield, of Oberlin College in Ohio. He addressed everything from the efficiency of heat pumps to the specific environmental efficiency of two "Green Buildings". It was an interesting lecture, efficiency aspects of which I plan to share with my daddy and others I will share with friends about building design.

Next the students were presented a lecture on .... by Clemson's own Bentley Coffey.

Finally, we concluded the day of lectures with a presentation by Hank Fischer, the gentleman that reintroduced wolves back into Yellowstone. He spoke of his conservation ventures as well as much more. However his main points that he encouraged us to take from his seminar were...

1. When working on issues look for nontraditional partners
2. Think collaboration not compromise
3. Incentives really matter
4. Persistence counts
5. A deal is a deal (consistency = credibility)

We are concluding the day with a wonderful dinner prepared by, Yeoh, Bentley, & Bobby. After which several of the students came to Bobby's house where they are watching television and playing poker.

I believe I may call it an early night... we will see.

Happy Birthday DENISE!

Day 3 - Snowmobiling in West Yellowstone

Today I rose at 5:00 AM Mountain time. When Yeoh and I went to the car, it was covered in snow. We then proceeded to ride down the streets, not seeing lines anywhere. Along a main highway we met a snow plow. After a little snow off road excursion we united with the young men that we were meeting and were headed the 80+ miles to West Yellowstone on roads that were covered in snow, and looked to have been plowed and sanded.... Today was a snow expereince.


Today...
- saw a Bison on the way to West Yellowstone
- saw three states from the top of Two Top Mountain (WY, ID, & MT)
- went snow mobiling from 8:30AM to 1ish with the company Yellowstone Aventures - saw beautiful snow capped trees
- ate at the Meadow Lodge in snow gear in Island City Idaho
- drove the snow mobile only to play around (by CHOICE)
- enjoyed such beautiful scenery that it was just amazing

Potery Line 3
From the rising of the morning light to the twinkling of the stary sky God's snow has fallen so softly.

Poetery Line 4
How beautiful it was to see the tops of trees and snow as far as the eye can see. How beautiful it was to have moments that one could feel so peaceful and free

Day 2 - Exploring Bozeman - Shopping

Today Yeoh and I decided not to go skiing, instead to sleep late and do a little Bozeman shopping exploration.

Today...
- Yeoh prepared breakfast (I helped a little)
- we visited a nice little shop called Benjie's where everything is 1/2 off of the price marked
- MT has NO SALES TAX... so everything is at least 5% cheaper than South Carolina :)
- walked some of main street Bozeman visiting the shops
- a nice young lady that worked at one of the shops helped me to exchange dollar bills for Denver Minted State Quarters to add to the collections of my parents, mine, and Edric's
- we stopped at a quaint little coffee shop, had a coffee and wrote postcards
- checked out a local grocery store, Target, and Ross's


Poetry Line 2
People walking briskly, snow falling ever so quickly. Enjoying the town of so few frowns.

Day 1 - We're in Montana

Hi All... I have arrived safe and sound in Bozeman, Montana. The mountains are absolutely beautiful! We arrived in Billings and drove to Bozeman. It is certainly a place that I would hope to return.

Today...
-my wonderful parents brought Yeoh and me to the airport to make our 6:00AM flight
-we had two flight layovers Atlanta GA and Salt Lake City UT
-we had a group trip to the Bozeman Costco (I am quickly finding out it is one of Bobby's Favorite stores)
-Yeoh and Bobby STRONGLY discussed individual property rights
-Bobby took us on a McCormick Quick Automobile tour of Bozeman
-Bobby prepared dinner for all (umm umm good!) THANKS BOBBY!


Poetry Line 1
Flying overhead as the snow capped mountains peaked through the clouds the simplicity of life became more apparent with the decent into the beautiful "Big Sky" country of Montana.

Let me help YOU find $$!

As promised ... my unclaimed property blog!

Many people never realize it but... you may have unclaimed money somewhere. One of my hobbies is helping friends, family, and anyone who will let me help them search for unclaimed property. Just last month I helped friends find over $4,000. I would be willing to instruct you on how to do so… Simply …

 leave me a comment stating that you would like help
 give me the state which you reside

I will then shoot you a comment or email back telling you how to claim and search from your specific state.

I am often asked “Why would I have unclaimed money?” I have found a good answer provided by The National Unclaimed Property Database. “While state laws very in periods of dormancy, a wide rage of reportable property but is not limited to dormant checking and savings accounts, uncashed money orders, cashiers checks, unclaimed insurance benefits, mineral royalty payments, safe deposit box contents, unused gift certificates, unclaimed security deposits, cash dividends, stock, court deposits, and utility deposits.”
And why let the government have money of you or your loved ones simply because you forgot it was out there.

Here are some of the sites that I use to get you started…

NAUPA | The National Unclaimed Property Database | Missing Money

So far these are some of the people I have helped, approximately how much I have helped them find, and where they found it…

[AWARDED]
Don B - $90 – Alabama
Greg A – $300 – Michigan
Frank K - $300 – New York
Stuart K – $70 – New York
Sean M - $1,400 - North Carolina

[PENDING]
John W - ? – Virginia
Jean H - ? – Kentucky
Jon H - ? – Kentucky
Rhoda W - ? – Virginia
Ruth M - $190 – South Carolina
Ellen C - ? – South Carolina
Joel W - $60 – South Carolina
Lorenzo K - $800 – South Carolina
Lorenzo K - $4,400 – Pennsylvania

The Last Day of the Second Month of 2006

This twenty-eighth day of February marks yet the end of another month in the year two thousand and six. Completing 59 days in this blessed year at the strike of midnight tonight.

I think I like the idea of if I write no other blog for a month… at the close of each I will report the highlights of my month both positive and “antipositive” . We will see how this goes.


First…addressing the “antipositives”…
 I still have failed to volunteer at CCC 
 On last evening a friend’s grandmother passed away at the blessed age of 91


Now to the positives
 Traveled to Myrtle Beach South Carolina for business and was accompanied by my WONDERFUL Mama
 Celebrated my first Valentine’s day EVER in a relationship
 Helped one friend find over $4,000 in unclaimed property, and informed others about unclaimed funds that them and/or their family members may have out there (more on how YOU can find unclaimed property in an upcoming blog)… stay tuned…

These are not all the positives or “antipositives” in my life just a few I wished to share at this time.

306 more days of adventure and blessings in the year 2006. No one knows what the future holds but I pray that there are many positively wonderful blessings in it for all my loved ones and those who share in my message of encouragement, opportunity, and positivity.

I love hearing what you think about what I have to say ... so if you have a moment drop me response

Ed Gordon's 7 Step's to Success

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. - Bill Cosby

On January 20, 2004 journalist, Ed Gordon, visited my Alma Marta, Clemson University for our annual Martin Luther King Celebration. During his visit he shared his Seven (7) Steps to Success that I keep on my desk. I would like to share these steps with you in hopes that it will encourage and/or motivate you to succeed at all things positive, good, and blessed…

1. Believe you can succeed
2. Don’t let others define your success
3. Don’t judge your success against others
4. Be about it, don’t talk about it
5. Be ready for success
6. PATIENCE
7. Don’t rest on your success

You've achieved success in your field when you don't know whether what you're doing is work or play. – Warren Beatty

Since hearing that speech and writing down those steps I have been moved to share these inspirational words with others. Slowly but surely,(No. 6), I am beginning to see and seize my success. I challenge each of you that read these words to take this message and see the success manifest in your life with proper positive cultivation.

There's no secret about success. Did you ever know a successful man who didn't tell you about it? - Kin Hubbard

The Last Day of the First Month of 2006

Well, well, well… only 31 days into 2006 and it has already had its ups and downs and that is the focus of today's entry. From spending time with family and friends to a death of a dear loved one. There are also things that I want to accomplish and as a method of holding myself accountable for those things I am contemplating the idea of doing monthly resolutions with small personal rewards and punishments.

Let me address the “downs” first…
 As I look over my resolutions and I can report the only thing that I can report that I have not been accomplished is volunteering for this month at CCC.
 The passing of a wonderful lady, my Aunt Shirley and how it affects our family
 Today they announced the passing of Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the widow of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Now to the “ups”...
 Have improved on eating breakfast regularly
 Had a great New Year’s weekend with my wonderful & handsome boyfriend
 Spent time with family & friends
 Each day learning a little more about myself
 Learning to “hold my tongue” more

334 more days of adventure in the year 2006. No one knows what the future holds but I pray that there are many positively wonderful blessings in it for all my loved ones and those who share in my message of encouragement and creating opportunity.

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work" - Thomas A. Edison -

Thank You for Your Condolences

I am truly blessed with wonderful friends and family. I would like to thank each of my heaven sent friends for their emails, calls, prayers, and positive thoughts. This blog is simply to say thank you to each of you and to share a poem that a friend wrote for me on yesterday when she found out about my family’s loss. I extend a special thanks to her for this poem and to my (I know I say this a lot but it is oh so true!) wonderful boyfriend for being by my side on last evening (even when he was under the weather) and everyday. Thank you again.

There is no sadness
there is no fear,
no more wearyness
and no more tears.

There is no pain,
There is no cold
no more rain
and no more old

There is only happiness
there is only cheer
only rejoicefullness
and only happy tears

There is only streets of gold
and friends of old
and loved ones to finally hold

slt 1/16/06

Please continue to keep me and mine in your prayers.

Celebrate Life... do not morn

Today is a day of momentary sadness because I am only human. On last evening my Aunt Shirley who had been diagnosed with cancer some time ago passed away. Because of deaths as a youth I suppose death as always sent me into extreme sadness that was skillfully masked to many. I believe that that is a normal, typical human reaction.

However, I am blessed at this time in my life with a WONDERFUL boyfriend who I feel is a gift from God. When we talked about her illness recently he encouraged me not be discouraged and more yet to celebrate her life. Celebrate the good time, great memories and joys that she brought to my life and those around her. He, as well as other friends, reminded me that she is no longer in pain, that the negative of her life is no more. And that is my first message/challenge of this blog…

When a loved one passes away, morn them as little as humanly possible, instead CELEBRATE THEM!... know they are in a better place .. Celebrate their life!

When I received the news of her passing no one could be with me for they were at work or had prior engagements and I was slightly discouraged. I did not feel I could just yet go to be with my mother and grandmother. Still great friends called when they could, imed me, and my sweetheart sent me an email. In his email he reminded me of the faith that I have shown and shared with him and to let that guide me through the day. And he was right! There is a song goes something like “When it seems like all the world has forsaken you or just cannot be there … call on the Lord” And that is the second message I would like for you to take from this blog today...

If you feel like you cannot turn to anyone you can always turn to God, meditate in Him and ask him to guide you.

We love you Aunt Shirley and we will miss you but we know that you are with God smiling down on us and praying for us.

Love, Money, or Education...

Love, Money, or Education... that was a pageant question I was preped for several years ago that has always stuck with me...so that is the thought I would base my blog off of today. My answer then and now has not changed...Love

I feel that Money and Education are things that have little value if in the end that is all you have. I am not by anymeans discouraging attaining higher education. In actuality, I have personally attained almost all the education that I want... I believe. Not the path I had originally set out to take but I am well educated nonetheless. I have a Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences and a Master's of Human Resource Development... and I am currently thinking about pursing my PhD and brought to my attention today possibly a JD... we will just have to see about all that.

I just feel that you can have all the degrees and money in the world but if you do not know what it is to love then I feel you may be missing out on a true blessing in life. I am not necessarily talking about the love of a significant other, but also the love, support, meaning healthy and true family can bring to ones life. I have been blessed throughout my life with a wonderful and supportive family and network of true friends.

Also, the love that I am talking about can be the love of oneself. How can you love another be it family, friend, or significant other if you do not love yourself? I think for a moment I was missing this aspect of love in my life.

Nonetheless, in my case the love that I felt was missing, after I learned to really love myself, was that of a significant other...finally after years of wondering if anyone could ever love me and I them... I finally know what it is like, and it is wonderful... and well worth the wait. I have fallen in love all over again with my high school sweetheart. As the song says, "Reunited and it feels so good"...We are just taking things day by day, and I am asking for prayers of support for God's will to regin in our lives. Possibly in the future we will write a blog together sharing our story...which is quite interesting.. Stay tuned....

True love comes quietly, without banners or flashing lights.
- Erich Segal -

... The Pursuit of Happiness

"The Pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase; if you pursue happiness, you'll never find it." - CP Snow

I will have to agree with CP Snow in the aforementioned quote... There are too many people out there looking for, pursing, happiness. Whether it be love, monetary success, that next promotion, the next job, or whatever makes YOU happy...

I used to be one of those people even when I didn't try. I believed that if I got this degree or accomplished that great feat that ... happiness was just around the corner. I would say that I wasn't looking for it, but in the back of my mind I believe I was... I am not saying do not give your all in whatever you do. Instead, I challenge you to do your best ... solely for the betterment and representation of YOU!... and guess what... when you start and continue to do things in that manner.. happiness truly is just around the corner.... Happiness may be found in the smile of person you pass in the street, it may be landing the job you always wanted, or it maybe getting engaged to the man of your dreams...

So I challenge you to stop pursuing happiness, and live life to the fullest for YOU!

"Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, but who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others. - Martin Luther King, Jr. -

Reach for the Stars

"When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either." - Leo Burnett -

Today I challenge you to do your best at whatever you do! Give it your all and that is all that is required of you. Time and time again we compare ourselves to this person or that person. When in actuality we must realize that we are each unique individuals who can never truly be equally compared. Even identical twins may have a lot of similarities; genetically, physically, and mentally, but they are individuals.

It is great if you are the best at whatever you do professionally, academically, physically, etc.; and I applaud you for that. However, if you are not at the top and have given your all often your efforts reflect such dedication. If necessary, realize when you may need a little help, you can do even better.

Again my challenge to you today is to do your best at whatever you do!

Acts of Kindness!

Small acts, grand acts, all acts of kidness return to the individual in ways that bring happiness to all.

I really feel like one of my purposes in life is to encourage others. That is something I have felt for a long time and feel deep from within. I think for a while I may have over done it. I failed to help myself. I was more or primarily concerned with helping others. However in order to help others one must have a secure sense of oneself. I am not saying that you should not give your all to helping others, however I feel that we must understand ourselves in order to be an asset to others.

Today's Challenge
Today I challenge you to do something really nice for yourself and something really nice for someone else!

Do you accept my challenge?

Liza Corrine's 2006 Resolutions

The following was posted by a college friend on her internet bulletin board ...

"I'm conflicted about my resolutions b/c the typical ones[resolutions] tend to be so superficial and shallow.... I challenge all of you to think about your 2006 resolutions this New Year's Eve.... Change always begins within ourselves, but sometimes we need to think beyond ourselves... So tell me.... with this in mind..... what will be your resolution" - Julie D (NJ)

I think that it is good for us to have a few superficial resolutions... things that challenge us to improve ourselves...because we must be at our best in order to help others. However, I understand my friend's point.

Therefore with that in mind here are...

LizaCorrine's Resolutions 2006*
(1) Volunteer for no less than 1 hr a month at Clemson Community Care
(2) Reach a desired weight by June 1, 2006
(3) Try not to overbook myself
(4) Learn to tell people no or not right now
(5) Focus on what is important to me

*This list will increase over the course of the week!

2005 Reflections

I will take a moment and reflect on things good in my life for 2005. This year I …

• launched my personal website
• started a blog … but stopped .. now started again
• drove up to Maryland with my sister
• traveled to Miami via car no less than 3 times with my wonderful parents
• found out no less than 3 of my friends were pregnant
• traveled to Las Vegas for my cousin’s wedding in the Belligo
• traveled for work
• created brochures and other material for serveral people & organizations
• fell & am falling in love with my high school sweetheart all over again :)

Now not all things were good that happened to me in 2005, however it is my choice to reflect, focus, and share that which was good in this past year. I do recall those things that were less positive for I believe we are to learn from all life’s experiences.

I challenge each of you to reflect on the positive and learn from the negative in your life in 2005! ...To make a positive difference in someone else's life... and to simply ... ENJOY LIFE!