Six weeks left

Happiness is...

Persistence.

Every year, we make lofty goals for January 1st. Exercise regularly. Journal. Travel. Identify one thing every day that makes me happy. This year, I was determined. I did not neglect my dreams, nor did I forget my little resolutions. Since the beginning of 2011 I have headed off on my own, started graduate school, lost ten pounds, visited old friends, and kept this blog going the whole time. Sure, I've had to make up lost days here and there. It hasn't always been creative or poignant. Some days, I spend more time trying to think of something happy than writing my post.

But I have kept at it. And six weeks from today, I will no longer be writing this. I will have moved on. It's not likely that next year's resolution will be bigger or better (365 days of happy was beyond grueling), but I will enter the new year knowing that, if I wanted it to be, it could. I have learned more about myself, have documented the simple ups and downs of my year, and have found the little things. With six weeks to go, I couldn't be happier.

Book lights

Happiness is... 

Book lights. No one awake? No problem. I can have my own little midnight party in the corner of the tent. I mean, it's not exactly a party when you're using the wee hours to read your graduate textbooks, but I like the feeling of getting it done regardless. So, sleep on, world. I won't disturb. I'll push the little toggle and read by the solitary little bulb of my companion. Good morning!

Crack My Back!

Happiness is...

When your back gives way to a nice stretch or crack. Okay, this sounds silly, but I'm absolutely serious. I love cracking my back. No, I'm not talking about when you stretch and pop one vertebrae... I'm referring to the feeling of looking over your shoulder and having several loud cracks and amazing relief. Cracking my back has some great healing properties that I can't even begin to describe---so I won't try.

Instead, I'll just twist in my seat, let my spine do the work. It's been super susceptible to being cracked lately. I'm not sure why... but I'm not complaining.

Comments

Happiness is...

Comments.
Wall posts.
Likes.
Messages.
In this immediate, internet world it is so easy to go through the motions and become completely anonymous. Then someone takes you off guard and writes back. It's a little beacon of hope---"I see you, I know you're there... And I'm here too!"


Comments are a sweet reminder that you matter, at least to somebody. So thanks, somebody :)

Halloween Sales

Happiness is...

Halloween candy sales. They mean chocolate overloads and afternoons nibbling on things made of processed sugar and corn starch. That's right, world. I have a weakness for candy corn. I love the thought of spreading the joy when it comes to trick or treating, and I love the idea of being someone besides me, just for a night!

It also means holiday season is approaching! The way retail goes Halloween stuff is on sale late September, Thanksgiving stuff is on the shelves the morning after Halloween, and Christmas is in full swing just hours after Thanksgiving, if not before (for the record, I do not like black Friday). I will be celebrating something until the end of the year now! AND even when January rolls around, it'll be just anticipation for another (semi) eventful Birthday! I'm ashamed to say that I am one of those people who is very forward thinking, but this is the perfect time of the year to embrace that fact. Welcome Halloween :)

Snail mail.

Happiness is...

Snail mail. I love correspondence. I enjoy receiving emails, seeing cute posts on social networking sites, or a nice long phone call. But nothing quite cheers up my day like opening a letter and reading a note from someone. There's something so personal about the old fashioned way of doing things, signed, sealed, delivered. If I could, I might even consider sending a telegram to tell someone I'm thinking of them.

Some days all I wish for is life to slow down a little, to be able to curl up for a short nap, to enjoy lunch with friends, and to take pleasure in the simpler things like postal stamps and cute stationary.

Besides, with deployment in full swing, it makes it so much more romantic and  picturesque if you're receiving handwritten notes, sending cards with your perfume sprayed on the envelope, and waiting in between. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE skype. But, I also love the era of Pride and Prejudice, or of Little Women, or of Singing in the Rain. Old school, yo. Just like love letters.

Sharing

Happiness is...

Sharing. Tonight my roommate made a large meal, and I was invited to partake! It makes my life that much easier, and it draws the two of us closer together... I love sharing meals, that's one of the only issues living in a two-bedroom with someone so committed to her boyfriend.

Sharing is caring. "In its narrow sense, it refers to joint or alternating use of an inherently finite good", to distributing things as they should be, to dividing blessings for the larger good. The world should consider sharing a little more... for now I'll enjoy sharing with loved ones around me.

Crisp Dollar!

Happiness is... Crisp dollar bills. Usually this means they haven't been tainted by a million pockets, crumpled in sweaty hands, the like. Crisp dollar bills make me feel elated to be among the first in possession, and I'm usually inclined to treat them just a little bit nicer. I imagine the places they'll go after I'm done with them, but I don't have to ruminate about all of the horrid places they've been.

Have you ever handed over a large bill and received change in the form of disintegrating paper? It's not my favorite. Instead, I prefer it to be new, whole, and nice. It's the same way I prefer a lot of things in life, actually. I prefer them to not be beaten and torn. I'd prefer if I was a little less beaten and torn as well, but that's an entirely different story.

Yellow Carrots?!

Happiness is...

Yellow carrots. I saw them in the produce aisle and had no clue what to expect, but I am back in college now and college is the time to experiment right? Hehe. Anyway, they're awesome. End of story. They taste an awful lot like orange carrots, and they apparently still have all the awesome nutrients. AND.... they're cheaper... and organic.

So, I've come full circle. I am no longer afraid of yellow, in fact I think I'll crunch into one right now!

Chivalry

Happiness is...

Chivalry. I don't care what anyone says, it is definitely not dead....nor does it go against any of my feminist beliefs.

So, boys, keep holding doors, excusing yourselves, letting us go first, etc. Flowers are not for just hopeless romantics (although, my dear, there are still a few of those out there still too ;) am I right?).

Make me feel like a lady.

Don't Forget the Lyrics

Happiness is...

When you finally remember the lyrics to the tune that's been stuck in your head. It's like being freed from bondage, from a long day of "I KNOW this! uhhhh..." And though that damn song is still stuck in your head, at least it's finally complete.

Fun with fowl

Happiness is...

Children and seagulls. It's truly one of the best combinations. Add a box of popcorn and you have a recipe for an amazing afternoon. So they weren't my children... That doesn't make it any less cute to see them running into the swarm, chasing birds up into the sky!

Maybe I was a little concerned when the gulls chased them back, but hey, I'd do a lot of things for a good handful of popcorn as well. Here we are on our grand trip to the north shore, finding the little things to entertain ourselves. Until tomorrow!

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.

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.

A Child's Smile

Happiness is...

A child's smile.

Yesterday while I was tutoring she was giggling, even. When I asked her what was so funny she replied that she simply loved reading. This was a great moment, astounding really... just a few months ago I had to fight with her to get her to continue to the next page. And now, when she reads the words right she claps her hand. Making a difference, and man does it feel good.

Today a student approached my desk and just hovered. I asked her what she needed and she said, "Nothing... you're just my favorite." I would never have known.

It's the simple moments. Really.

Blink

Happiness is...

When your blinker synchronizes perfectly with the song on the radio. Let it go, and start bobbing along as well. It's God's little way of jamming out. Or Saturn's... who knows.

In any case, it's finally time to roll the windows down to boot. Bring on the good summer music!

Spring Cleaning.

Happiness is...

Spring cleaning time.

Am I actually a person who enjoys cleaning? I think I'd rather chew on my tax forms. However, when I am sitting in the center of a tidy room, staring at several bags of clutter I plan to donate... that is a glorious moment.

I grew up as a pack rat. I may not use that telescope now, but you never know when the apocalypse will hit and that will be our saving grace. I haven't worn that shirt in 3 years but what if I want to wear it next month some time? These are negative thought patterns that I had to overcome. Strive to toss. And now, I take spring cleaning seriously. It's the time to ask myself how important my personal sanity is versus how important that old purse is. Guess which one I pick?

Sometimes it's the old purse. But more often than not, I am happy with the result of de-cluttering. Happy Cleaning, folks!

Rain

Happiness is...

The smell of fresh rain. It's the crisp, wet, sweet scent as a glorious prelude to a quiet afternoon.

There are a lot of things that perk up my nose. The smell of a new rain is one of them. The smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies is another. The smell of a cheap paper towel is also up there. Call me crazy, but I'm going to continue letting these kinds of things make me smile. :)

Wine

Happiness is...

A nice glass of smooth white wine.

Once upon a time I got the chance to go to the Tuscan countryside and enjoy a wine tasting in a Chianti winery. I learned the complexities of a good wine.
You have to hold it at the stem; not only will your fingerprints not taint the look of the wine, but you don't risk warming it up...
Swirl it around to catch all of the scents embodied within. This is not necessary except for with an older red, but it is definitely worth it. The longer it takes for the beads of wine to come back down the glass, the richer it is.
Finally comes putting it to your lips. Let it find its way to every corner of your palette, so that each unique flavor can be discovered by the different parts of your tongue.
What are the sensations? Do you find berries or apples, pears or peaches, or even cinnamon, chamomile, oak?

Today, the wine is a simple German Riesling. Still, it's delightful. I will never forget the experiences I've had and I'll never turn down a sweet glass half full. Yes, I see it half full.

Again!

Happiness is...

Springing forward. Well, in all reality, daylight savings time is not exactly what makes me happy. It doesn't bring joy to my life to suddenly lose an hour of sleep. Really, happiness is sunrises, again.

Spring is coming. That's so swell, I can't wait for the snow to melt and the warmth to come. It also means the day gets longer: the sun rises earlier and sets later. But just when I thought I was gonna miss the sunrise the rest of the season, daylight savings time was upon us. Now, the sun is magically rising an hour later all over again and I can experience those ambient colors on my way into work.

The commute seems shorter, the morning brighter. Welcome back, sunrise I missed you.