…continuing the countdown of happiness (lots at once because well… just cause)

2.Friendly people who smile make me happy.

People who will smile and say hi when you pass on the street. People who say say “bless you” to someone they don’t know when they sneeze. People who ask how you are and then wait for the answer. People who wave thanks when you let them into your lane. People who will let you into their lane. Little kids that smile and wave out of the back of cars. People who make me laugh. (really, it’s not hard to do) People who smile back.

3.Shopping makes me happy.

I was trying to avoid putting “shopping” on my list but I can’t deny it. I enjoy it! I’ve been really good about showing self control lately but I will definitely being doing some post-birthday shopping. Wanna see?

for those that care… bag = anthro, shoes = freepeople, earrings = urbanoutfitters, perfume = chloe

(this is turning into more of a wish list than an actual “going to buy it” list)

And when I’m really, really rich (and can justify spending more than rent on a handbag):

4.Ice cream makes me happy.

It’s icy, it’s creamy… what more could you ask for? Especially since it’s finally ice-cream eating weather. Well, who am I kidding? All weather is ice cream appropriate.

5. Flip flops make me happy.

The last few days have been in the upper 80’s and my feet are so happy. I think I have claustrophobic toes.

I just finished the book, Left to Tell by Immaculée Ilibagiza. It’s her story of surviving the Rwandan genocide of 1994. I’m still sort of trying to let it all sink in.

“In 1994, Rwandan native Ilibagiza was 22 years old and home from college to spend Easter with her devout Catholic family when the death of Rwanda’s Hutu president sparked a three-month slaughter of nearly one million ethnic Tutsis. She survived by hiding in a Hutu pastor’s tiny bathroom with seven other starving women for 91 cramped, terrifying days. This searing firsthand account of Ilibagiza’s experience cuts two ways: her description of the evil that was perpetrated, including the brutal murders of her family members, is soul-numbingly devastating, yet the story of her unquenchable faith and connection to God throughout the ordeal uplifts and inspires. This book is a precious addition to the literature that tries to make sense of humankind’s seemingly bottomless depravity and counterbalancing hope in an all-powerful, loving God.”
-Publisher’s Weekly, Starred Review, March 2006

My friend Alyson (and her mother in law) recommended this book to me while I was in Utah earlier this month and I’m so glad she did. It’s devestating and hopeful at the same time. It’s also inspiring and comforting to know that there are people in the world like Immaculée who can find it in their hearts to forgive the unforgivable and help others heal. I want to say more about the book but I just finished it and I’m still sort of overwhelmed by her story.

6. The previews for Baby Mama!

I laugh every time I see them and I can’t wait to see the movie.

6. The previews for Baby Mama!

I laugh every time I see them and I can’t wait to see the movie.

So this whole posting something everyday lark really just isn’t working out very well! My laptop is caput so I have to blog at work, and occasionally I have to work at work too. But I guess I’ll just keep counting down because it’s fun.

7. The ocean makes me happy.

I love going downtown to the pier when it’s hot and there’s lots of people around to hang out and people watch and just walk or ride bikes. When I was younger, one of my favorite things was when we’d all go camping down at the beach and we’d get up early and go looking for sand dollars while my dad fished, and then have “jalama burgers” for lunch.

There’s also this little cove area just off the highway here that you have to hike down to but it’s so beautiful and quiet. I love going there when it’s bright and sunny and warm. But what I really love is going there when it’s just a little overcast and just relaxing, or going late in the day and having a bonfire and making s’mores. Once the guys went “hunting” mussels but we were advised by some surfers to not trying eating them. It was a funny day.

There’s just something about water that has always been so soothing and relaxing to me.

Every time we walk along a beach some ancient urge disturbs us so that we find ourselves shedding shoes and garments or scavenging among seaweed and whitened timbers like the homesick refugees of a long war.
Loren Eiseley

So this whole posting something everyday lark really just isn’t working out very well! My laptop is caput so I have to blog at work, and occasionally I have to work at work too. But I guess I’ll just keep counting down because it’s fun.

7. The ocean makes me happy.

I love going downtown to the pier when it’s hot and there’s lots of people around to hang out and people watch and just walk or ride bikes. When I was younger, one of my favorite things was when we’d all go camping down at the beach and we’d get up early and go looking for sand dollars while my dad fished, and then have “jalama burgers” for lunch.

There’s also this little cove area just off the highway here that you have to hike down to but it’s so beautiful and quiet. I love going there when it’s bright and sunny and warm. But what I really love is going there when it’s just a little overcast and just relaxing, or going late in the day and having a bonfire and making s’mores. Once the guys went “hunting” mussels but we were advised by some surfers to not trying eating them. It was a funny day.

There’s just something about water that has always been so soothing and relaxing to me.

Every time we walk along a beach some ancient urge disturbs us so that we find ourselves shedding shoes and garments or scavenging among seaweed and whitened timbers like the homesick refugees of a long war.
Loren Eiseley

This is totally random but lately I have been craving foods that I used to eat as a kid. For example, today I had a cheese sandwich. Yep, just cheese, the tiniest bit of mayo on bread. I used to take that for lunch all the time when I was like 5. And the other day I needed Lucky Charms in the worst way. Like, real bad. The list goes on but it involves mostly junk type food. Maybe this is my subconscious way of rebelling against the big 30! hahaha

Counting down…

8. I love sleep.

All work and no sleep makes me a very grumpy girl indeed. When I was little getting up in the mornings was particularly painful. I tried everything to sneak in a few minutes extra sleep. I tried sleeping with my school clothes on under my jammies… not the most comfortable way to sleep as you can imagine. I tried playing dead (well deaf really) when my mom would come in to wake me up. She’d get louder and louder and start nudging me and I’d just lie there but she’d eventually make me laugh and I’d lose that battle. I used to dream that one day teachers would allow us to come to school in our beds. Just wheel them right into class. I still think it’s a pretty great idea.

The sad thing is I used to be a pro at sleeping in but for the last few years I’ve had to get up so early for work and what not that it’s ruined me. It sort of breaks my heart when I wake up at 5 am on my day off. It’s just not right! But even though sleeping in doesn’t always work out anymore I still love my Sunday naps. Honestly, I think that if more people got a nap every now and then the world would be a much happier place.

This is totally random but lately I have been craving foods that I used to eat as a kid. For example, today I had a cheese sandwich. Yep, just cheese, the tiniest bit of mayo on bread. I used to take that for lunch all the time when I was like 5. And the other day I needed Lucky Charms in the worst way. Like, real bad. The list goes on but it involves mostly junk type food. Maybe this is my subconscious way of rebelling against the big 30! hahaha

Counting down…

8. I love sleep.

All work and no sleep makes me a very grumpy girl indeed. When I was little getting up in the mornings was particularly painful. I tried everything to sneak in a few minutes extra sleep. I tried sleeping with my school clothes on under my jammies… not the most comfortable way to sleep as you can imagine. I tried playing dead (well deaf really) when my mom would come in to wake me up. She’d get louder and louder and start nudging me and I’d just lie there but she’d eventually make me laugh and I’d lose that battle. I used to dream that one day teachers would allow us to come to school in our beds. Just wheel them right into class. I still think it’s a pretty great idea.

The sad thing is I used to be a pro at sleeping in but for the last few years I’ve had to get up so early for work and what not that it’s ruined me. It sort of breaks my heart when I wake up at 5 am on my day off. It’s just not right! But even though sleeping in doesn’t always work out anymore I still love my Sunday naps. Honestly, I think that if more people got a nap every now and then the world would be a much happier place.

This is totally random but lately I have been craving foods that I used to eat as a kid. For example, today I had a cheese sandwich. Yep, just cheese, the tiniest bit of mayo on bread. I used to take that for lunch all the time when I was like 5. And the other day I needed Lucky Charms in the worst way. Like, real bad. The list goes on but it involves mostly junk type food. Maybe this is my subconscious way of rebelling against the big 30! hahaha

Counting down…

8. I love sleep.

All work and no sleep makes me a very grumpy girl indeed. When I was little getting up in the mornings was particularly painful. I tried everything to sneak in a few minutes extra sleep. I tried sleeping with my school clothes on under my jammies… not the most comfortable way to sleep as you can imagine. I tried playing dead (well deaf really) when my mom would come in to wake me up. She’d get louder and louder and start nudging me and I’d just lie there but she’d eventually make me laugh and I’d lose that battle. I used to dream that one day teachers would allow us to come to school in our beds. Just wheel them right into class. I still think it’s a pretty great idea.

The sad thing is I used to be a pro at sleeping in but for the last few years I’ve had to get up so early for work and what not that it’s ruined me. It sort of breaks my heart when I wake up at 5 am on my day off. It’s just not right! But even though sleeping in doesn’t always work out anymore I still love my Sunday naps. Honestly, I think that if more people got a nap every now and then the world would be a much happier place.

So a million years ago Johnny Depp said in an interview that he was looking forward to turning 30 because “ten years in your twenties is just too long.” So with that as inspiration…

The big 3-0 approaches. While I know a few people that think that being single at 30 is a tragedy, I’m actually I’m kind of excited. Thirty and flirty and thriving, right? I may even make a paper chain!

So I was trying to think of some kind of list or something to celebrate (cause I’m really good at making lists) but maybe I’ll just post one thing every day that makes me happy. Because 30 year olds should be happy, ¿si no?

So the countdown begins!