Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Home Early

Happiness is...

Being the first one home on a quiet Tuesday afternoon.

Do you know what that means? It means life has gotten easier, work has gotten better, and most of all it means I win. I get to use this afternoon to do what I please, so there!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Marathons

Happiness is...

Marathons. No, not running... who likes running enough to do it for 26.2 miles? Psh. :)

Although, I really do like an afternoon marathon of a quality TV show. Today I took a cat nap, and woke up to several hours of sitcom. It was exactly what a holiday is supposed to be. It was relaxing, fulfilling, amazing, and many other words. I could get used to it.

So to recap, I am not a big fan of distance running. However, I like going the distance with great TV. You got it?

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Free Cities for the Summer

Happiness is...

Finding free things in the summer....

Music in the parks.
Art events.
Walks at the lake.
Free museum nights.
Wandering around the cathedral.
Going roaming downtown.
Free movies or outdoor theater.
Beachbeachbeachbeach.
Art fairs and farmers markets.
SUN!

Tomorrow's memorial day. And it all begins <3
One of the many things I'll miss about living in the Twin Cities.

Yesterday we went for a walk around Lake Harriet, and explored the gardens, and had a mini picnic from a lemonade stand... :) Today we went to the sculpture garden and walker. I like weekends like this, they should happen more often. Weekends.like.this.are.happiness.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Laundry

Happiness is...

When you finish your laundry and recover an old friend in a twenty dollar bill. Suddenly, you're rich! (not because you didn't already have it, but because you were absent minded for a week or two)... funny how those things work out.

I like to think there are laundry gnomes, waiting to steal the other sock in the pair or to hide my favorite t-shirt. But apparently they don't understand true monetary value. Lucky me.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Clearance

Happiness is...

Buying things on clearance.

Every now and then you may want a new skirt, or t-shirt. Lucky for you, nearly every store has a clearance rack with goodies waiting anxiously to be discovered. Better yet, when you get these gems you end up feeling even happier about your awesome shopping skills entirely! Why even buy things at full price when you can conquer the sales? Mmmm clearance.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

PBandJ

Happiness is...

Peanut Butter and Jelly. Even after all of this time.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Brand new car

Happiness is...

When you fix a piece of your car and it suddenly feels like you're driving gold. Some auto body shop took in my car and in return gave me a Mustang! Imagine that. Why buy a new car when you can put a couple hundred dollars into what you have and pretend for a little longer?

Goodnight noise, goodnight shakes, goodnight frequent steering wheel quakes. Goodnight fishtail, goodnight squeaks, goodnight bald tires and coolant leaks.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Great leftovers

Happiness is...

When you heat up leftovers and realize last night's dinner is just as amazing the second time around. Rock on.

This is what we had:

And in case you were wondering, it was every bit as good as it sounds. Today I brought three of the ravioli to spice up my lunch and wished I had more. And more. And more. What are your favorite recipes?

Monday, May 23, 2011

Tumblr

Happiness is...

Tumblr. Why didn't I think of this earlier? My happiness blog could even be prettier... haha. OR I could use it to post the random finds from my afternoon with the interwebs. I suppose I'll do that, then.

If you didn't know, tumblr is a neat little social networking tool for links, photos, text, quotes, and all things amazing. It's a very interesting community to be a part of, and I am still completely and utterly confused after several hours on it. Yikes.

Check it out: superiornoodle.tumblr.com

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Red Box

Happiness is...

Movies for a dollar. It seems like an easy solution to a boring evening, and it spices up any date night. Walk into your nearest grocer's, step up to the red kiosk, scroll through the many disasters you wish were never put to film, and find the odd treasure. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Sometimes I get nostalgic for Mr. Movies or Blockbuster (yes, all movie stores in my zip code are officially closed) and then I save a couple bucks picking up a movie for the night. I don't even have to wander around the store to make my choice... Nor do I have to be tempted by the candy at the checkout. It's decided, I prefer my red box. Want one of your own? Try the codes DVDONME or BREAKROOM and go home with a good flick! mmmmmredboxyesplease...

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Photography

Happiness is...

Photography.
Photography has a special way of capturing cherished moments.
Photography has a special manner of bringing a smile.
Photography has a special place in my heart. Period.

It just keeps getting easier too, affordable and customizable and digital. Make it your best, and take home the memories. I know it's a priority for me.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Harmony

Happiness is...

Harmonizing. It's a gift for very few people out there, but it makes music an amazing experience.

Tonight's worship: excellent.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Salty and Sweet!

Happiness is...

Salty desserts. The best of both worlds.

For example, a coworker brought in sea-salt brownies yesterday afternoon. If I didn't mind looking like a whale, I would eat the whole pan. There is something very special about having more than one taste sensation. Salty and Sweet is one of the best combinations, in fact. That is why everybody likes chocolate covered potato chips so much.

Excuse me? You've never had chocolate covered potato chips? Shame on you. Please tell me you'll at least take a bite of this sea-salt brownie.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

AmeriCorps Week 2011

Happiness is...

National AmeriCorps Week.

I have spent my last ten months serving as a VISTA in Saint Paul Schools. It has been quite the journey... my coworker says it best: "My term of service has, at times, been difficult, challenging and even a bit overwhelming, but it has never been dull. I have seen students who were struggling to understand basic phonics begin to read fluently. I have had the privilege of coordinating an amazing group of volunteers and meeting some incredibly talented VISTAs. I also began to understand what it feels like to step outside of my comfort zone to participate in something larger than myself. I am unspeakably grateful for these life lessons and, as I begin to wrap up my term of service, I can’t help but wonder who has learned more during this year of tutoring---the students, or me?"

This week I am reflecting on what my service has meant for my own professional and personal development, as well as its impact on this community. I can say knowingly that I've learned more in the one year thrown-under-the-bus-pretending-to-know-what -I'm-doing-business than in the whole Bachelor's Degree business that I handled prior. It's been a whirlwind, and it's the perfect time to reflect on this transitory stage of my life. VISTAs move things forward, and sacrifice their own salary to fight poverty, illiteracy, homelessness, and the like. In hindsight it is just as real as any career, but why doesn't it quite feel that way?

I have concluded that this is what I wanted, after all. A job that makes change, surrounded by others who are passionate about that change. A place where I am responsible, and inspired. Happy National AmeriCorps week to all of my fellow service members who have found the same kind of place!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Googling

Happiness is...

Googling yourself. Today, I searched me... and I was pretty pleased with the results! I like to do it every 3-4 months to make sure there isn't a horrible website defacing my reputation (not that anyone out there actually cares enough about me to invest the time in that caliber of slander). Today, it's clean, and pretty impressive to be frank. They say that future employers often check in on you through a simple google search of your name. What comes up when you search yourself?

Facebook should not. LinkedIn should. Positive articles and awards and honorable mentions and the likes... I'm still figuring it all out, but I think my search comes up with some pretty awesome hits.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Windows down

Happiness is...

Driving with the windows down. Perhaps it's necessary when the A/C is broken, but it's also entirely liberating! I love the feeling that spring is here and I can at last feel the wind in my hair. This afternoon I was able to enjoy every ray of sunshine and the breeze of the highway. Volume up, window down, arm out, smile on. What a way to commute. I even got to take a nice long walk in the sunshine. A perfect time for my gym membership to expire, when the weather is at its peak (let's hope it doesn't get blistering hot to off set the horrible cold winter, ugh Minnesota). Off to dinner, hamburgers, on the grill! Yay spring time <3 <3 <3

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Denzel

Happiness is...

Denzel Washington. We all know it, and I finally said it. He's a stud---eloquent, powerful, and stoic. Dearly beloved! There are several people that I have this kind of faith in, you know.

Tonight: Man on Fire. Feel free to tune in.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Massage Chairs

Happiness is...

Brookstone. Sharper Image. Massage chairs, no strings attached. Take a seat, grab the remote, and quickly transport yourself to a better world. Thank you kindly. They provide a valuable service to people like me, after a long relentless week. More of us should stop and thing about the gratitude we owe stores like that! :) Mmmmm.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Friday the 13th

Happiness is...

Getting through Friday the 13th (mostly) safe.

It wasn't my fault. The universe decided to shit on me all afternoon. In fact, I still wasn't even allowed to post my happiness. It's like it was meant to be---a little misery. However, now it's Saturday (yes, I'm catching up Saturday night when I realize Blogger has stopped being a fail) and things are getting better.

Friday the 13th. It usually happens 1-3 times a year, so watch yourselves!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Resolution

Happiness is...

Getting back to my resolution. This is my Thursday's post, finally added Saturday night. Sorry folks.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Personality tests

Happiness is...

Personality tests.

This year in my work there has been a lot of personal and professional development. One of these opportunities came with a series of personality tests, which has been super exciting for me. I enjoy learning about personality, and it helps put my work in context with other aspects of my character.

It started with Myers-Briggs (I am ENFJ) which was revealing and comprehensive.

We also did our Strengths Finder results and I found my top five: Achiever, Empathy, Maximizer, Relator, and Intellection. Something I would recommend to all!

Now, it's the Enneagram. A little more difficult to navigate, but a learning experience all the same... And that's one thing I love about this position; I have continual opportunities to learn more and more about myself. I am able to be self-aware and work on my skills and talents, as well as things that hold me back. I'm excited to see how I can take it all into the future, for sure.

Your turn, who are you?

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Sky

Happiness is...

The changing colors of the sky. Even if they mean a damn tornado watch.

Welcome home summer 2011, I've been waiting for you.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Memories

Happiness is...

Revisiting memories. I made the effort to clean my room tonight... and it was lost to looking through old journals and a box full of Spain. I'm okay with that. Someday, I actually will reduce the size of crap piled in the corners of my life, but until then I plan on cherishing it all. What do you say?

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day

Happiness is...

Mothers. And Mother's Day. And doing things for someone who's always done everything for you. And love love love.

Simple as that.

On a side note, why can't I seem to remember my daily post lately? I ask for your deepest forgiveness, all. As if there is someone besides me who takes interest in this blog.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Cinco de Mayo

Happiness is...

Cinco de Mayo. 5 D Mayo. Dia del Mayo.

I know, I know, it's far past Cinco de Mayo (which, for any super gringos out there, was Thursday, the FIFTH). However, I was able to celebrate today in one of the largest parties in the state. Parade, Music, Food, it really put me in the mood!

It's a day of Mexican heritage and Pride. And, no, it is not Mexican Independence Day... although there was a little bit of Mexican victory to be had.

What are you going to do to observe the holiday? I recommend the tamales, though cervezas are always a slightly healthy alternative, verdad? Felicidades!

Friday, May 6, 2011

naps

Happiness is...

Naps.

That little extra REM sleep. That quick break in a tired afternoon. That small piece of relaxation. Siesta!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Field Trips

Happiness is...

Field trips.

A couple weeks ago we held daytime parent teacher conferences... which meant I got to go to Grand Slam and MOA with the kids to get them out of their hair. Today we were invited to a special preview of a dance company at the Ordway, and tomorrow we get to go to the Saints game.

Field trips are the perfect mini-vacation; they get me out of my office and away from my computer for a day, and they allow me to have fun with the kids. After all, that's what I do best! We're just a few more field trips from the end of the school year and some peace and quiet at last. Can't wait!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Words

Happiness is...

The word snarky.

Actually, there are many words in the English dictionary that I particularly enjoy. Snarky. Serendipity. Loquacious. Voluptuous. Juxtaposition. Brouhaha.

Here's to words!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Clean inbox

Happiness is...

A cleaned out inbox. It may be a strenuous process, especially for someone as sentimental as myself (but what if, one day, I want to look back at that forward about leprechauns?) but the end product is just... so... beautiful.

The serenity of an empty page. Of having all the inbox emails in one browser view. In organizing the subfolders and decluttering contacts. Every now and then, sanity needs the world to clean up their email. We clean up so many other areas of our life (well, at least a few). So why do we let our junk mail build up anyway?

Monday, May 2, 2011

History

Happiness is...

Reflecting on the historical events in our lifetime.

Last night, Osama Bin Laden was finally brought down in what can easily be deemed the most grueling game of cat and mouse ever. After nearly a decade, the mastermind behind our momentous terrorist attacks has been found and killed. Yes, many lives were brought to justice. No, this is not necessarily the most celebratory moment of 2011. In fact, there aren't many moments to celebrate. Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan. Protests racked all over the Middle East. The death of actress Elizabeth Taylor. The Royal Wedding with William and Kate (okay, maybe that deserves a little celebration).

Still, life goes on. Substantial events will continue to occur, and I will continue to live through them. I am not devoting my happiness to the slaughter of a terrorist today, but instead to the moment. Cherish them, for soon they'll be only scribbled in the books. Literally. Here's to a day that will go down in history.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Birds chirp

Happiness is...

The first morning you wake up to birds chirping, and realize that spring is actually here. The sound of birds in the early morning... just try to beat that wonderful little thing of life.