Since my last post about media sensationalism was a little heavy, this post is a lot more happy! Especially because I JUST finished my LAST EXAM!!! How exciting is that?! I just finished my first full year at university in the states. It was a long road to get here and without sounding full of myself, I'm pretty proud of the fact that I set a huge goal and with the help of lots of amazing people, am well on my way to accomplishing it!
I had a heavy heart last week. Since last weekend, I have been overwhelmed with generosity and love; both for myself and for others. It started with a beautiful article I read about a Disney Cast member(s) who went above and beyond to create an amazing experience for some sweet girls who had to experience a horrible tragedy. You can read it here:
Boston Marathon, Sandy Hook & the 3:00 o'clock Parade
It makes you believe in the good. The good that fills this world and will always continue to be there. There is a lot of sad and a lot of bad, but there is so much good that we cannot let ourselves lose sight of. There is also this Youtube video that I absolutely love:
Restore your Faith in Humanity
This weekend I got to see the Director of the Mahima Care Home talk about what they do, what it's like, and the difference it is making. The Mahima Care Home is a Kolkata-based girl rescue and rehabilitation home that addresses the grave injustice of sexual slavery, by providing a safe home for girls who have been rescued from the sex trade. This lady actually goes into the establishments with a team and the police and take young girls out of the sex trade and provide a place for them to live, be loved, be educated and feel safe. It was really inspiring to hear and it makes you believe there are people being the change in the world.
One of my friends accomplished something very important to her and super exciting, and we had a little get together to celebrate! You could tell how excited and happy she was, something I haven't seen in a while, and it was really great.
Personally I've been showered with love as well. I strolled into work last week, getting set up, looking for things in draws and turn around to all my co-workers with red and white balloons and a birthday cake!! They all sang and we had cake and I just couldn't believe it! I was so surprised!!
Two of my favourite ladies sent me packages in the mail, making me feel the love from 3000 miles away. I haven't opened them yet though. I also got a package from my parents! So fun!
I got to see my niece gallop like a horse around her new house, flutter like a butterfly, attempt to give me a house tour which was a lot of spinning and chin shots, and hear her say "Katie" over and over in the most amazing voice ever. Hearing your name said by a little munchkin that you love? AMAZING. There is little that can outdo the videos and pictures I've gotten of Clo lately. She can carry on conversations! and runs around in her adorable little outfits. Told me all about bumping her head. She's so logical and has the most mischievous, glorious laugh that you can't help but smile about. Even though the laugh came after a little hair pulling... She's incredible.
Two of my dear friends in Florida have been planning a birthday celebration for me on Friday and Saturday, and last week they let it slip what we're doing. We're going to be staying at the Grand Floridian CLUB LEVEL! I can't even believe it. I'm still in shock and still can't wrap my mind around it. Then on Saturday we're going for Tea which I'm SO excited for! Saturday night my boyfriend takes over for dinner :) How incredible? I'm in shock.
But it keeps going, because Sunday is when we leave for Miami, and Monday is our cruise! (Still can't believe that one either!!!!) AND Disney announced both Disneyland and California Adventure are going to be open for 24 hours while we're there!!! SO I will have been able to spend 24 hours straight in both Magic Kingdom & Disneyland if I can convince Francel... Epic Disney Geek status. :D
How can your heart not be overflowing when you are ambushed with so much love from so many places? I will mention that in there also Francel and I went to a movie. After the movie I really wanted Menchie's. It's frozen yougurt where you get to add your own toppings and they have lots of yummy flavours. I didn't want to recommend it though. Francel opened my car door (how cute is that? Such a gentleman :) ) and then as he was walking to his side of the car I said to myself "ice cream ice cream ice cream." When he got in his side he looked at me and said, 'do you want to get some ice cream?" I was in SHOCK! There is no way he heard me because i said it inside my head (and he was outside of the car ;) ). I thought he was going to want cold stone, which is good, but super ICE CREAM whereas Menchie's is more froyo. And what did he suggest? MENCHIES! So happy. lol. I told him I'd been thinking about it and he said he just kind of got a craving while getting in the car. EPIC. Ask and you shall receive?
Overall it's been an amazing week, I haven't even hit everything. I attended a 40th birthday party where I only knew the birthday boy and his husband and one other person who left before me, and everyone was so nice and so inclusive! They asked all about school and work and were genuinely excited when I told them about my concierge job. I LOVE friendly strangers! It was such a great afternoon. I also officially finished moving in to my new place, with the help of an amazing friend.
So you can see how one week can make a huge difference. The end of the semester relieves a lot of stress, and the overwhelming power of love has really left me nearly speechless this week. Sometimes it's hard to not get caught up in all the hardship, in the ever changing visa information, the tragedies in the world, and the friends who weren't worth it. However, if you just stop for a moment, you can see the love. It's all around us. It's on the internet, it's in the last 5 minutes of the news, its on the faces of strangers and its in the incredible people who you surround yourself with. Life is good. Especially today :)
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label happiness. Show all posts
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Simplicity
Today was an amazing day. Nothing significant happened. No surprises, no gifts. No news.
But maybe that adds to it's greatness?
The day started by laughing and joking while making breakfast with my boyfriend. It continued with church with two of my good friends. It felt like the pastor was talking just to me, which is a good quality. It makes the things you think or do seem like they happen to a lot of other people too. It was about results. Wishing things could fast forward so you can get your rewards sooner. It was in a way about the journey more than the ending. But not of life- of the things in our lives. Relationships. Careers. I like results.
Church was followed by breakfast at a casual cafe. Grandfather owned and worked in by the whole family. We had omelets and tea; laughed and chatted. I've been pretty homesick lately for the relationships I have there. Breakfast felt like home.
I continued to Starbucks where over more tea we chatted then individually worked. I did some readings and a quiz and got my dose of happiness from gaining knowledge and enjoying it.
Now I'm walking the dog, writing and listening to music. Soon the boyfriend will be home and we'll cook some dinner together.
It's just a simple day. Nothing spectacular happened. But it was exactly the day I needed. The type of day that makes life's little moments the ones that count.
But maybe that adds to it's greatness?
The day started by laughing and joking while making breakfast with my boyfriend. It continued with church with two of my good friends. It felt like the pastor was talking just to me, which is a good quality. It makes the things you think or do seem like they happen to a lot of other people too. It was about results. Wishing things could fast forward so you can get your rewards sooner. It was in a way about the journey more than the ending. But not of life- of the things in our lives. Relationships. Careers. I like results.
Church was followed by breakfast at a casual cafe. Grandfather owned and worked in by the whole family. We had omelets and tea; laughed and chatted. I've been pretty homesick lately for the relationships I have there. Breakfast felt like home.
I continued to Starbucks where over more tea we chatted then individually worked. I did some readings and a quiz and got my dose of happiness from gaining knowledge and enjoying it.
Now I'm walking the dog, writing and listening to music. Soon the boyfriend will be home and we'll cook some dinner together.
It's just a simple day. Nothing spectacular happened. But it was exactly the day I needed. The type of day that makes life's little moments the ones that count.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Being Aware
Life can slip right past us. That's where the idea for a 2013 Jar of Happy came from. That's a work in progress name, it make be changed. But the premise (thank you pinterest) is to have a mason jar, and every time something fun happens, you do something enjoyable, you write it down and put it in the jar. Then at the end of the year, New Years Eve 2013, you pour the jar out and remember all the amazing things you did that year.
Of course you're going to remember your birthdays, your anniversary, big special events - but I'm trying to write the smaller day to day happenings that bring a smile to my face. The things 333 days from now I won't recall. Such as earlier in the month: I had been talking for 2 months about going to see This is 40. I thought it looked awesome! So one night Francel surprised me by having it so we could watch at home and got cold stone ice cream! Movie and ice cream night? Awesome! It was so fun and relaxing getting to watch at home - and ice cream is a big treat!
Would I remember that 10 months from now? Probably not. Will I be excited to relive how we couldn't stop laughing at things that weren't even funny most of the movie now that I jotted it down and tossed it in the jar? Yes.
I hope I can keep it up. Jot down your happy moments and toss them on a container. New Years Resolution. Track your happy :)
Speaking of New Years Resolutions. We're going to break them into smaller goals.
True Fact:
Smaller goals are easier to reach and make the large goal less daunting.
Most people set goals in January and bail on them by February. I'm setting a few in February and hopefully will succeed at them by March. Month goals - yearly goals are scary.
This month is a little different that most months in that MY SISTER IS COMING TO VISIT!!!
AND I"M SOOOOOO EXCITED!
Carrie is coming to see me the last week of February and I cannot wait! I am also moving this month so packing everything up once again. Hopefully it'll be the last move for a while.
But alas, my goals for February:
Money: Don't spend it.
How we accomplish this: Don't eat out. Pack lunches. No unnecessary purchases.
Health: 5 vegan days a week.
How we accomplish this: Dairy is pretty easy to avoid when you pack your own meals. Meal planning
Exercise: 5 workouts a week. At least of them as AM workouts.
How we accomplish this: 5 out of 7 isn't that bad a way to start. Support is key too. Thank goodness for that fit loving boyfriend. I'd like everyday to be a morning workout eventually, but we're taking baby steps.
Time Management: Try it!
How we accomplish this: Don't procrastinate. Set aside time and use it wisely. I am super good at planning in my planner, I just need to follow it.
So those are my February goals. I'll let you know how it's going in a week.
Oh and when it works guess what we're motivating ourselves for?
BATHING SUIT WEATHER!
Of course you're going to remember your birthdays, your anniversary, big special events - but I'm trying to write the smaller day to day happenings that bring a smile to my face. The things 333 days from now I won't recall. Such as earlier in the month: I had been talking for 2 months about going to see This is 40. I thought it looked awesome! So one night Francel surprised me by having it so we could watch at home and got cold stone ice cream! Movie and ice cream night? Awesome! It was so fun and relaxing getting to watch at home - and ice cream is a big treat!
Would I remember that 10 months from now? Probably not. Will I be excited to relive how we couldn't stop laughing at things that weren't even funny most of the movie now that I jotted it down and tossed it in the jar? Yes.
I hope I can keep it up. Jot down your happy moments and toss them on a container. New Years Resolution. Track your happy :)
Speaking of New Years Resolutions. We're going to break them into smaller goals.
True Fact:
Smaller goals are easier to reach and make the large goal less daunting.
Most people set goals in January and bail on them by February. I'm setting a few in February and hopefully will succeed at them by March. Month goals - yearly goals are scary.
This month is a little different that most months in that MY SISTER IS COMING TO VISIT!!!
AND I"M SOOOOOO EXCITED!
Carrie is coming to see me the last week of February and I cannot wait! I am also moving this month so packing everything up once again. Hopefully it'll be the last move for a while.
But alas, my goals for February:
Money: Don't spend it.
How we accomplish this: Don't eat out. Pack lunches. No unnecessary purchases.
Health: 5 vegan days a week.
How we accomplish this: Dairy is pretty easy to avoid when you pack your own meals. Meal planning
Exercise: 5 workouts a week. At least of them as AM workouts.
How we accomplish this: 5 out of 7 isn't that bad a way to start. Support is key too. Thank goodness for that fit loving boyfriend. I'd like everyday to be a morning workout eventually, but we're taking baby steps.
Time Management: Try it!
How we accomplish this: Don't procrastinate. Set aside time and use it wisely. I am super good at planning in my planner, I just need to follow it.
So those are my February goals. I'll let you know how it's going in a week.
Oh and when it works guess what we're motivating ourselves for?
BATHING SUIT WEATHER!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Everyone has goals January 1st
But it's February 1st when you really see who is sticking to them...come March? There isn't a soul left at the gym. Not that that is everyone's goal - but quite a few people.
This week is exam week, which of course is also known as brain-drain-find-anything-to-distract-you-from-finals week. I've been finding inspiration in places I never thought I would lately and I'm excited. There are some great things coming up and some great things that have just past and I hope to share them. My blogging skills have been quite horrible, but through my english class this semester I've really started to love writing again. That being said I'm going to try my best to do my best at this blogging business. But I'm not going to organize and be crazy, i'm going to take baby steps and go from there :)
A lot has changed in the past few months. I, as well as my group of friends, are all adjusting to a new normal - a new way of being and living that no one would have suspected just months ago. I have had incredible amounts of kindness extended towards me and have been blown away by a powerful love. I have learned so much about hardship and relationships and friendship and honesty and true happiness. I have learned a ton in both class and life.
I will be in Canada a week tomorrow for quite a while and hope to get this place up to scruff. I am so excited to see my family, my friends, my puppies and my home.
I'm going to leave you today with this quote, which has been playing on my heart a lot these past few days :
There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad and focus on the good. So love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living!
Edited:
I'm back! and it's the same day and I'm still thinking about the same thing - goals. I just looked through my old bucket list and many of them still hold true - unfortunately. I would love to pay off my debt, but I haven't yet. I got caught up in the incredible life of Disney CRPs once again, and didn't save. I would love to run the Disney Marathon, and this time with my training buddy we plan to accomplish that - January 2014! I have a lot of different goals now as well though. Many revolve around school, career, self improvement, health and family.
Everyone starts their goals in January. Who wants to cut out alcohol or cookies right before Christmas? Not this girl! So we shall see.
I've always been a planner and a lot of that is taking place lately. I am starting to focus on healthy breakfasts to power me up for the day, and getting to bed earlier so when those AM workouts begin it won't be such an intense turn around. One thing is for sure - having someone at my side through the entire thing is going to be incredible motivation and help when I don't want to go for a run or I really want ketchup chips!
Okay, to be honest, I don't think ketchup chips are going to get cut. They are such an anomaly since moving here. However we have been sharing the same bag for like 2 weeks now and it's not gone - if that's not will power I don't know what is.
We also have talked a lot about the importance of home cooked, healthy meals. The produce section is going to be my eternal best friend, and we're going to see how long we can go without those middle aisles of the grocery store!
I have a lot to save for, and even more to pay off. When you think about a future you don't want to be dragging along extra baggage that it is possible to be rid of just through hard work and smart spending.
My goals haven't changed but my motivations are stronger and based on more than just myself.
Health.
Happiness.
Financial Stability.
Graduation.
Career.
Although career starts before graduation occurs. In April. The end of April? ASAP!
Not working for a year because of visa requirements? That, my friends, is an entire post of it's own.
Up next: My Disney Christmas Extravaganza...
This week is exam week, which of course is also known as brain-drain-find-anything-to-distract-you-from-finals week. I've been finding inspiration in places I never thought I would lately and I'm excited. There are some great things coming up and some great things that have just past and I hope to share them. My blogging skills have been quite horrible, but through my english class this semester I've really started to love writing again. That being said I'm going to try my best to do my best at this blogging business. But I'm not going to organize and be crazy, i'm going to take baby steps and go from there :)
A lot has changed in the past few months. I, as well as my group of friends, are all adjusting to a new normal - a new way of being and living that no one would have suspected just months ago. I have had incredible amounts of kindness extended towards me and have been blown away by a powerful love. I have learned so much about hardship and relationships and friendship and honesty and true happiness. I have learned a ton in both class and life.
I will be in Canada a week tomorrow for quite a while and hope to get this place up to scruff. I am so excited to see my family, my friends, my puppies and my home.
I'm going to leave you today with this quote, which has been playing on my heart a lot these past few days :
There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad and focus on the good. So love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living!
Edited:
I'm back! and it's the same day and I'm still thinking about the same thing - goals. I just looked through my old bucket list and many of them still hold true - unfortunately. I would love to pay off my debt, but I haven't yet. I got caught up in the incredible life of Disney CRPs once again, and didn't save. I would love to run the Disney Marathon, and this time with my training buddy we plan to accomplish that - January 2014! I have a lot of different goals now as well though. Many revolve around school, career, self improvement, health and family.
Everyone starts their goals in January. Who wants to cut out alcohol or cookies right before Christmas? Not this girl! So we shall see.
I've always been a planner and a lot of that is taking place lately. I am starting to focus on healthy breakfasts to power me up for the day, and getting to bed earlier so when those AM workouts begin it won't be such an intense turn around. One thing is for sure - having someone at my side through the entire thing is going to be incredible motivation and help when I don't want to go for a run or I really want ketchup chips!
Okay, to be honest, I don't think ketchup chips are going to get cut. They are such an anomaly since moving here. However we have been sharing the same bag for like 2 weeks now and it's not gone - if that's not will power I don't know what is.
We also have talked a lot about the importance of home cooked, healthy meals. The produce section is going to be my eternal best friend, and we're going to see how long we can go without those middle aisles of the grocery store!
I have a lot to save for, and even more to pay off. When you think about a future you don't want to be dragging along extra baggage that it is possible to be rid of just through hard work and smart spending.
My goals haven't changed but my motivations are stronger and based on more than just myself.
Health.
Happiness.
Financial Stability.
Graduation.
Career.
Although career starts before graduation occurs. In April. The end of April? ASAP!
Not working for a year because of visa requirements? That, my friends, is an entire post of it's own.
Up next: My Disney Christmas Extravaganza...
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