Recap

Happiness is...

Recaps. At the end of the year we all spend some time planning our celebration to ring in the new year, thinking about our resolutions, and trying to make the most of it. Instead, I like to look back on the year we just had. What happened this year? Who died? What scandals hit the news? How was I impacted?

I can look through pictures and old journal entries. I can see one of the many "Best Of" youtube videos. Or I can talk to my friends and family. Whatever the activity, it's pretty cool to reminisce on how much has changed in the last 363 days or so. Here's to another good year! Bring it on 2012.

Being remembered.

Happiness is...

Being remembered.

Today we visited my old High School and Middle School. Just for fun. It wasn't until my seventh grade band director stopped me in the hallway did I realize that I had actually made a mark there. He remembered my name, my instrument, and particulars about my family. A real footprint! It felt good, if only for a 3 minute conversation. I loved the feeling!

I remember many of the people who have impacted my life. Who'd have known that it was reciprocal :)

Blankets

Happiness is...

Putting another blanket on. Yes, winter is here at last. It's cold. It may snow at any point. In my room, the only thing I look forward to is crawling into bed to escape the frigid air.

Luckily, I have not one... not two... but three blankets stacked on the top of my little mattress. It's a cozy little den under them, warm and toasty as well as weighed down and tucked in by piles of covers. This is a very common source of happiness for people, and I never quite grasped it until now (I lived in the second floor of my house growing up). It's like childhood, safe and secure.

I know I sleep like a baby, at least.

Old Friends

Happiness is...

When you're out with an old friend and run into an even older friend. You may be excited to see someone that you haven't seen in a while, but the chances may be pretty good that you'll see another. Suddenly, it's all nostalgia, catching up, and loving being reunited!

Friends lose touch. Then they look back and smile. Then they meet up and share. And life goes on. I'm just enjoying the ride.

Juice Box

Happiness is...

Juice boxes. Especially the 100% juice variety. I love straws, I love the portion size, and I love the feeling of being a kid again, even if it's only vaguely metaphorically.

Release the stress, forget about adulthood, and just sip. That's my intentions exactly.

New Album

Happiness is...

Posting photos to facebook.
Yes, I am that vain that I want to show you every moment from my weekend. I love being tagged in pretty pictures and I like commenting on the events as I look back with nostalgia (even if they were just 48 hours ago).

In case you didn't already hear, I love photography. But I'll take it one step further. I love public photography, displaying my shots, and sharing my memories. I love when others can see how awesome my life is, in short.

Mostly, though, I love photography.

Sleeping Bags

Happiness is...

The way the sleeping bag holds all of your warmth with you. I like to cuddle in and zip it up to my chin. After that, nothing can escape my little forest green envelope.

The other amazing thing about sleeping bags is their properties in making you feel like a kid again. When I was a kid, my parents would almost always be forced to tuck me in tight. With ease, they'd stuff my sheets under my legs and into the nooks of my hips, and they'd kiss my forehead goodnight. I'm still missing that kiss, but I'm feeling pretty good about being trapped in two small feet of blanket room! I get some of my best sleep that way, despite the solid camp floor.

Hello Tettegouche, how I love you.

Legwarmers

Happiness is...

Legwarmers. So it's a frigid morning? Slip on the 1980s and solve your problem. Sweatpants may not cut it, but these babies will keep your calves toasty all day... now if only I could figure out what to about my thighs and my knees. I suppose calling them legwarmers is a little false, but my ankles aren't complaining!

Animated awesome

Happiness is...

Children's movies. I love animation. And I extra love it when people burst into song. That's why I will hold on to Disney til the day I die. Luckily, they are still making a good one here and there... sure, they've evolved to computer animation and adult humor, but sometimes I strike gold and there's an all-ensemble song and dance. Today, I watched Rio. My head bobbing, a smile creeping across my lips, I felt like a child again. If I don't find another one like that I just might break out Aladdin and Little Mermaid on DVD. Yeah, that's the life... singing along to my movies, dreaming of being a princess too. Don't judge.

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.

Whale Spouts

Happiness is...

Whale spouts. I mean, babies are cute to begin with! Put a little flailing ponytail on the top of their head and it's simply magical.

When I was younger I used to wear a whale spout. For years. It was my recipe for comfort. When my mom was out of town and my dad tried to take care of it I would wail with despair. Now, I'm past that. But my goddaughter sports the perfect little do! I love it.
Simple happiness.

Visitor!

Happiness is...

Visitors! Today I am receiving my first one. I am so excited to host her, and enjoy some good time with her. I just got the call that she's close. I am so giddy and childish. But I don't care. There are many things that make me excited, and this one is totally normal. Friends make the world go round, and the lonely heart full again.

Plans for the night: Cabaret show on campus. Pizza at blue bricks. Beer. Glee :) Cuddle? Yes please. Ahhhh, the warmth of old friends.

p.s. Where were you 10 years ago?

It was second period and the TVs were on in every classroom. We watched the second plane hit and everything felt surreal. Things continued as normal in my little middle school, but people were subdued and shocked. There was nothing on TV that entire afternoon but the news coverage and Andy Griffith, and I remember thinking that they were being more dramatic than I could handle. Patriotism spiked. Fear swelled. And war started. A war we're still upset about, still trying to end. A war that would continue to kill more Americans and instill more terror.

It was second period when I knew something big had happened. I could never have imagined the impact, but I certainly witnessed the tragedy.

What's your memory like?

Theatre

Happiness is...

Theatre. It was part of my past life, but I loved it regardless. Even now reminiscing, it does wonders for my mood.

Photo booth

Happiness is...

Photo booths. Make up a few cheesy smiles and get ready..
Pose.

Pose.

Pose.

Pose.
Here's your strip of happy. Thanks for coming.

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.

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?

Skype?!

Happiness is...

Reminiscing on fun childhood memories. Think about your embarrassing yearbook photos growing up. Talk about your grade school boyfriends. Remember the names of all three of your imaginary friends. Look through old drawings and journal entries and let that bright smile creep across your face.

I had the chance to chat on skype with a dear friend last night, and it very quickly turned from catching up talking about work woes to anecdotes from the distant past. I welcomed it, a chance to laugh together until we cry. Pointing out the awkward developing teen years is a great way to find a running joke... though I'd never want to relive the times.

Take a moment today to page through old albums or call up a childhood friends to share stories all over again. You'll be surprised what memories arise from the shadows!

Make yourself happy. Make memories.

You are loved.

Happiness is...

Dried flowers. Don't throw them away when they start to look a little sad, hang them up and preserve the memories! I still have roses from high school plays, congratulations from my parents, bouquets from special weddings, and the flowers that made me feel a part of my sorority. Flowers are more than a sweet thought, they're more than a special occasion, they're something to cherish... often times for years to come.

Take in the fragrant perfume of your flowers. Admire the vibrant colors. Hold them dear. And then preserve them. Put them in a vase and keep a spot in your heart for each unique flower that stands the test of time.

Cliche or not, flowers are one of the best reminders of just how special you are. Remind yourself, daily, of this fact. You are a brilliant, strong, and beloved person. Remember all of the people in your life who love you and cherish you. You are amazing. Look back on old keepsakes (or flowers) and reflect on just that.