Cute Little Kids

I was sitting at the park listening to music, eating pad thai, enjoying views of the mountains, and totally zoning out when the cutest little girl came up to me and just stood right in front of me. She stared at me smiling. I immediately started laughing, and she did too. Apparently she thought I was her aunt. Over the next 25 minutes she kept running away from her mom, who was attending a wedding reception nearby, to come over to talk to me. We exchanged high fives, I explained that I was not her aunt, and we became funny friends. I can't believe how much she made me laugh. I love cute kids.

Snapped a pic of my new lil friend during one of her escapes from her mom.

Happy Quote

I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.

Groucho Marx

I'm Cheesy

After writing my first blog post in months, I reread all my old posts. I realized I'm REALLY cheesy. It's kind of embarrassing. But then again, this a happiness blog, and it's hard not to be cheesy... so I'm just going to keep embarrassing myself.

Also, although I've written about it before, I definitely encourage you to write down your happy thoughts! Rereading my old posts made me so happy and laugh so hard. What's better than being able to relive all kinds of things that have brought you joy? Moreover, by writing down your positive thoughts, you focus on the positive things that happen in your life more.

INSPIRING

these videos make me inspired to live life to the fullest. it's insane how awesome people are.

my fave part: the baseball player at :28

Happy Quote

Happiness is not a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, a state of mind.

Daphne Du Maurier

The 29 best things about breaking my leg

So I'm trying to be as positive as I can about breaking my leg and having surgery (broke left leg in 3 places, 2 bones-Tibia & Fibula, foot was no longer attached by bone to the rest of my leg, got 10 screws & a plate in it now). But it has been really hard to stay positive, since I've been in so much pain, so I started making a list of the good things that have come out of my injury:

1. It's a breakfast (lunch & dinner) in bed day, everyday!
2. My hopscotch skills are infinitely improving, I can go from the downstairs living room all the way to my room on the second floor hopping on one foot.
3. Guiltless ice cream eating.
4. When I flew home for my surgery, a man at the airport overheard me asking where I could get some water. Five minutes later, the man brought me a bottled water he bought for me. So sweet. Just another reminder that PEOPLE ARE GOOD.
5. I feel more compassionate and empathetic towards people with long-term serious illnesses or chronic pain. I can't imagine what they go through.
6. I have been working out more because I'm so bored, but I now have a great excuse for skipping cardio!
7. Endless time to read and catch up on TV shows. Just watched all four seasons of Felicity (OMG, how hottttt is Ben AKA Scott Speedman circa 1999?!?!! Totally drool-worthy). And reading is quite possibly my favorite thing to do. LOVELOVELOVE Dan Brown & Michael Chrichton.
8. Due to the fact that I wake up super early in pain, I've gotten to enjoy watching the sun rise so many times over the past few weeks.
9. Quality time with Miss Sadie Lou Who (our golden retriever).
10. Although I was in extreme pain for my first week of recovery, my second week of recovery was way better than when I broke my right leg and got a titanium rod in it.
11. I've been reconnecting with old friends.
12. I get to ride in electric carts at Target (although I did embarrassingly hit several racks/signs and lots of people laughed at me while I laughed at myself).
13. My right quad is a freakin rock again all of a sudden (I can get up from the ground on just my one leg).
14. I don't have to change into my PJs at night... because I wear them all day!
15. I just started working on my little brother's "Help Can Cancer" campaign and trying to get more schools and Sororities and Fraternities to join, hoping to get another 10K+ for cancer care in Maine in the next year.
16. I've realized I should appreciate my mobility and health more. It sucked REALLY bad to barely be able to stand getting out of bed for trips to the bathroom.
17. People get up to give me the good seats at sports games, hehe.
18. I don't feel bad if I don't shower everyday since it is such a pain in the ass/kind of dangerous. Plus, I only have to shave one leg for the next two months.
19. I'm getting mentally and physically tougher.
20. I get to spend a month and a half (and possibly four months) in Maine.
21. I'm actually using my paid sick time (last year, I only used one day).
22. I have more time to blog.
23. I've gone to more sports games in the past week than I have in the past year since it's a fun activity to do while sitting (woop woop, U-Maine & Hampden Academy!!).
24. I take long baths and actually relax because I have nothing else to do (I wrap up my cast in a trash bag).
25. I got to feel like a kid again and be pampered by my wonderful mom & dad.
26. I don't have to call "bucket seat" when I get in the car with my brothers.
27. I got lots of flowers, packages, and cards from friends & family (thank you!).
28. The best seat on the couch is permanently reserved for me.
29. I got to go straight to the front of the security line at the airport and board the plane first when I flew home for my surgery.

To be continued....

One of my all-time favorite music videos

Pearl Jam is one of my favorite bands (best concert of my life), and "Just Breathe," is one of my favorite songs by them. I LOVE this unofficial music video that Pretty Monkey Studio made for the song. They took clips from a hugely popular Swedish movie made in the 1970s, about two 14-year olds falling in love.

Enjoy!

My favorite moment is at 1:39.

Favorite lyrics "I'm a lucky man to count on both hands the ones I love. Some folks just have one, yeah, others they have none. Stay with me, let's just breathe"

A Tale of Two Cities

I was recently reading Chicken Soup For the Woman's Soul (I've been in bed from a broken leg for two weeks straight, and I'm bored out of my mind, don't make fun of me!!), and I came across this story that I thought I'd share...

A traveler nearing a great city asked a woman seated by the wayside, "what are the people like in this city?"

"How were the people where you came from?"

"A terrible lot," the traveler responded. "Mean, untrustworthy, detestable in all respects."

"Ah," said the woman, "you will find them the same in the city ahead."

Scarcely was the first traveler gone when another one stopped and also inquired about the people in the city before him. Again the old woman asked about the people in the place the traveler had left.

"They were fine people; honest, industrious, and generous to a fault. I was sorry to leave," declared the traveler.

Responded the wise woman: "So you will find them in the city ahead."

From The Best of Bits and Pieces

This will make you smile.

This video is hilarious. Can't help but laugh when you hear a grown man (and marine) scream like a little girl. Also, I'm obsessed with scary rides, and this one looks awesome!

My favorite moment is at :47.

Happy Quote

Taking joy in living is a woman's best cosmetic.

-Rosalind Russell

Jenna & I loving life on a boat in Maine!

Happiness Tip

Surround yourself with happy people. It is easy to begin thinking negatively when you are surrounded by people who think that way. Conversely, if you are around people who are happy, their emotional state will be infectious.

For more tips:

9 tips in life that lead to happiness

My Idol: Beyonce

I love Beyonce. I first fell in love with her in eighth grade, when I went to see her perform at a Destiny's Child concert. She sang "Ave Maria" acapella, and it was amazing. Beyonce is a classy, fabulous, and smart business woman. Plus she's married to Jay-Z. Check out this vid that shows just how badass Beyonce is...