happy hump day

At the wise young age of 24, I have a feeling I'm on to something good: 

The key to happiness.

For me {at least for right now} it lies in just three simple steps...

Laugh Often,

 A good laugh really is the best medicine. Even in stressful or moody times, I think it helps to find the humor in life. I especially love laughing at my embarrassing, clumsy, day-to-day awkwardness.

Be Kind to Others, 

Simply put, when I help others I am actually helping myself feel better as well. Happiness is contagious. Spread the love.

and Appreciate the small stuff. 

I feel so content this week. I've taken time to appreciate a good workout, to get excited about hearing my favorite song on the way to work, to "sleep in" and catch a glimpse of the Today Show as I'm getting ready, and to stroll into the office at 8:15. I hope that even as I get older and my life changes, I can still appreciate these simple things...while still also balancing a love for the "finer" things, of course! ha ;)

Sorry for vomiting rainbows and butterflies in this post. While I try to focus on these happy things, I also realize that on a bad day positivity is the most annoying message to hear! Hopefully you are having a good day instead of the latter!

Happy Birthday to ME :)

Although this season is all about the Turkey, I will admit that my birthday turns me into quite the Ham.

I had the most wonderful birthday weekend. It started with an amazing cranberry mojito, delicious appetizers, and good friends at Palomino's...

...followed by a night of dancing {get it, Kristen}!

My Saturday started with Starbucks {thanks to new giftcards!! :) }, followed by lovely surprise gifts from my mom, lots of shopping, and a yummy meal at Cheesecake Factory. I really enjoyed our mother/daughter day of shopping. Even though mom hates to shop, she was a really good sport on Saturday! And of course we had to get a piece of cheesecake...

I am so very thankful for the way my parents spoil me every year! Perhaps they are the reason I act like such a diva during the month of November! ;)

I am equally thankful for my loving friends. I know I have true friends because they not only put up with me, they support my "all about me" attitude during my birthweek.

All in all, I'm a lucky girl! Thank you so much for all the birthday lovin'!

a subtle reminder.

Feeling terribly sick makes me appreciate my good health even more.

Feeling lonely makes me more thankful for my loving network of friends.

Feeling homesick makes me grateful for a comforting home I can return to.

Feeling lazy and lethargic makes me feel proud of all that I can accomplish when I feel well.

It is easy to take for granted all the blessings in your life, until they are missing. I spent the weekend ill on the couch, hibernating for days. Being sick is a great excuse for taking time to rest and ignore the stresses of the outside world.

Instead of dwelling on the "downs" of this weekend, I am choosing to view them as a reminder of how fortunate I am to know the difference...for some may not even know what it is like to miss the better option.

happiness is...

...both laughing and crying on the way to work listening to the radio..."Salute a Soldier" testimonies really get to me before 7am...I cry every time I hear them. They make me feel so grateful because I cannot begin to understand the sacrifices military families make.

...Free Yagoot days. Only available to "Yagroopies" - true story.

...Looking forward to a long weekend after really not being able to tolerate one more minute of working.

...Cooler weather. Finally!

...Dewey's Pizza. Enough said...we all known I'd eat pizza for every meal.

...genuine giggling that leads to tears of laughter with good friends. Anthony & Chelsea, you guys are such a beautiful couple. I enjoy being your "third wheel" more than most of the dates I've ever been on. You are so blessed to have found a best friend in each other, and I hope you continue laughing together - it is truly wonderful to be around.
 
...Cold Stone Creamery. What a pleasant surprise - the strawberry cheesecake ice cream was delicious! Anthony always comes prepared with a gift card {thanks again!!}.

...Getting 8 hours of sleep! So refreshing.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Thankful

I am thankful for good health and positive attitudes. For compassion and laughter, love and thoughtfulness. I am thankful for hard work that makes relaxation even sweeter, and for time away that makes moments together even more special.

Despite the hurt and heartache, perhaps sometimes it takes moments like this to remind us all what we are truly grateful for.


Wedding weekend and vacation updates will be up soon, but there have been other things on my heart for the past week. Stay tuned and give thanks in your life as well.

Good Vibes & Random Quotes

Once you go through something you think will kill you and it doesn’t, every day is like a present.
~Elissa B. Terris 

Others all around us are going through such awful things - illness, death, abuse, and the list goes on. In the grand scheme of things, I am a truly lucky girl.

In that context, I feel so selfish and silly to admit that it took me a long time and possibly a bout of minor depression to get to this place. But I am a happy, thankful person as of lately. Each day I am choosing joy. If nothing else, I hope to bring a smile to another person's face each day.  

 Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be.
~Grandma Moses

Life is in fact what you make it, and I am trying to be more proactive in making choices that will bring me happiness and wonderful memories ~ partly because living alone has put me more in touch with what makes me feel accomplished and satisfied.

I have gotten a better balance in my life between work and personal time. I've done some successful apartment shopping {more on that later}. I have so many unbelievable friends {despite them not all being here in the city}. I have a loving family. I am proud of my independence and all that I have learned in the previous months. And I have learned to laugh at myself during not so proud moments ~ truly a gift at times!

To find in ourselves what makes life worth living is risky business, for it means that once we know, we must seek it.
~Marsha Sinetar

Although I am still uncertain about many things, I have learned so much and am becoming much more comfortable with my new life. I have a better appreciation for the relationships in my life {old and new} and the wonderful memories and experiences I have been so lucky to have. I am beyond blessed. And thank you to each of you reading for being a major contributor to my overflowing joy!

I will choose JOY

Amongst life's many stresses, several things are bringing a smile to my face at the moment:

• My butt has been to the gym 3 days in a row...I love the way I feel after working out, and I want to keep it up!
• York Peppermint Patties {to balance out the workouts, duh}. This girl's got a sweet tooth.
• The fact that several of my friends have started blogs...hint, hint to the others out there...
  
• Country music ~ particularly the "Black Dress Song" and the song about dancing through the house...whatever it's called.
  
• My wonderful friends that I don't get to spend enough time with, but love that when we hang out it feels like no time has passed :)
  
• Ol' Boy asked me to dinner this week. I've decided {per my New Year's Resolution of being more open and accepting} that I wasn't right to judge him so quickly. From all I know so far, he is extremely nice and easy to talk to. And 2 bomb points to him for actually asking a girl on a date!
  
• I am trying to limit the stress in my life ~ and feeling good so far this week {ha, I know...it's only Monday, we'll see how the rest of the week goes}. I am trying to stress less about work because I am doing my best and that's all I've got.
• Finally, I am already looking forward to the Starbucks I'm going to get tomorrow morning...because I deserve it ;)

Hope everyone had a Happy Day...despite it being Monday! 

Santa Claus is Coming!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and enjoys time relaxing and being with family.

I am so looking forward to getting out of work mode, sleeping in, hanging out with old friends, and being with family this holiday season.

I love cooking, playing games, and watching movies with my parents and my brother over Christmas. Lil' bro beat us in a game of Settlers last night...tonight I plan to crush everyone in Jenga! :)

On Christmas morning, Tony still wakes us all up before 6am..even though he's now 20. Despite my initial grumpy morning attitude, I love that he keeps the excitement and child-like spirit alive in our home!

After opening all our gifts under the tree, we then look in our stockings for final little surprises, followed by mom's infamous "skinny pancakes" for breakfast {which are somewhat like crepes...but better :) ... for those of you not fortunate enough to have tried them}.

We spend the day relaxing and finish it with a delicious meal {which includes stuffing...my fav!}. Above all, I am so thankful for the love of my family!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Be Happy

Although it is usually always hard for me to get out of bed in the morning, once I'm up I really enjoy my morning routine.

Depending on what time I wake up, I either go to the gym and work out next to Mr. Hot Boy that doesn't know I exist and then come back and watch the Today Show {love it} while I get ready, or I listen to Chris Carr & Co. on the radio {so funny} when I need to go into work early.

Top this off with my morning latte, and it puts me in a pretty good mood.

People must think I'm crazy as I laugh hysterically out loud during my entire drive in to work...interrupted by occasionally singing along to music.

I am then greeted by friendly workers at my parking garage. Every day, they smile and genuinely say "good morning." They all know me by name, and when I'm running a bit late and they see my car pull into the garage they hold the shuttle for me so that I don't have to walk in the cold.

If these guys can exude happiness every day, despite driving a shuttle in circles over and over, I can choose to be happy as well.

I do have so much to be thankful for, and life is better with a smile :)

Fab Day

My birthday was FABULOUS!!

To start off the day, people at work remembered it was my day. I got a {homemade} card and some guys at work bought me lunch AND frozen yogurt with sprinkles...yes, I did turn 23, but they know the sprinkles are my fav.

I opened all my cards when I got home from work, and felt so special that all these people were thinking of me. In fact, many of the cards made me shed happy tears. I greatly miss my family and friends that are far away.

To end the day, a group of new city friends and I went to dinner at a place we'd never been before and it was delicious! The restaurant was cute and the company was great. I haven't laughed that much in a long time. There were six of us, and we had all never hung out before, but we were giggling the entire night. The waittress came by about 5 times before we were ready to order because we were too distracted to look at the menu. This is the best gift I could have gotten...new friends in the area! =)

And being that it still technically is my birthday month...I'm going to treat myself to Starbucks and write some Thank You notes. Happy Weekend!!

Random Thoughts...

• I had an AMAZING weekend at home! Every time I go down there, I come back feeling so rejuvinated (maybe because I sleep like a rock in the comfort of my parents' home) and grateful for the blessings in my life.
• On Friday, we went for a birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant. I said I was too full dessert, but mom ordered me some to go....she knows me too well. I was digging into the dessert even before I opened gifts when we got home! Funny how I can always find room in my stomach for sweets...I'm convinced I store dessert in a separate part of my belly.
• My mom allowed me to open my birthday presents early since I'll be up here on my actual birthday. My jaw dropped to the floor when I opened these gorgeous earrings:

I pretty much haven't removed them since I got 'em!

• She also gave me a beautiful single pearl necklace, several new cookbooks to try, and an Excel Book for Dummies (apparently, I talk about work a lot...)
• My brother made me laugh by giving me a card in spanish...he's so random! I'm assuming the card said Happy Birthday, but the words he wrote in it were so sweet they brought tears to my eyes. I miss him so much.
• I've been learning the words to my new Carrie Underwood CD as well...I just love her! I think her voice compliments mine well in the car =)

...not to mention, she's stunning!

• I took a spinning class for the second time tonight, and I LOVED it! I may be addicted to these workouts. They are so hard, but really get the endorphins pumping =)
• I probably should have taken the class 3 times over today because I can't count on one hand how many pieces of leftover Halloween candy I ate at my desk today....good grief, I have zero self control around chocolate!
• I got two birthday cards in the mail today!! I am trying to practice self control in this area of my life, and I am not letting myself open them until Wednesday so that I have something to open that day. I can tell one card is holding a gift card, so it's making it more difficult to wait....
• Sorry this post is all about BIRTHDAY stuff...it's just as exciting as I remember! Only 1 more day!!

Fall in love with Fall

Have I mentioned just how much I LOVE the fall?!

Here are several reasons why:

Order a "Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte" from Starbucks and I promise you will not be dissapointed. Everything great about fall in one little cup.

• Weather is cooling down and I can begin to wear turtlenecks and scarves - my favorite!!
• Seasons of my favorite shows - including Desperate Housewives - have started once again. I love curling up with a blanket and watching some TV to relax.
• It is now acceptable to make chili. I have this delicious recipe for White Chicken Chili cooking in my crock pot currently. Try it, it's super easy: 

2-3 cooked chicken breasts

1 (32oz) box of chicken broth

1 jar of mild or medium salsa

3 cans of northern beans

2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese

1/2 onion chopped and sauteed

Add all the ingredients to a crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours.

Delicious with corn bread or by itself! Enjoy :)

• All the leaves are beginning to change colors and they look B-E-A-utiful!
• My birthday (the most important day of the year, if you didn't already know...) is less than a month away!

• Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner...and that means days off from work! woohoo!

Hope you all are enjoying this season as much as I am!

Happy Birthday Auntie Lori =)

I'll be thinking of you and hoping you have a wonderful day! (Although I wish we could be together...)

You are such an inspiration to me. Thank you for being so supportive during this transition time in my life.

I love you!

Wonderful Weekend

After an awful week, all I could think about was spending the weekend at home. I cried almost the entire drive home, and after quality time with good friends I made the drive back in a much happier mood. =)

Mom and I went for sushi on Friday night when I got in town, and then came home and got distracted by a puzzle and mom believing she could sing oldies music.

On Saturday, I woke up early to go wedding dress shopping with one of my best friends. She found a dress that she looks stunning in. I feel so fortunate to get to go through this experience with her. I am beyond excited for her and her fiance, they are a beautiful couple.

After shopping all day, we went to dinner and hung out at her house (even though we had chinese food for dinner, we also made brownies...yumm!)

I have been so lonely lately (in fact, lonely is an understatement). It is hard to see the positive things in my life because I am currently surrounded by so many things I am uncomfortable or unhappy with. Being surrounded by people I love was just what I needed this weekend. It has given me new perspective, and I have realized I need to take action and begin finding out what makes me happy. I pray that I have strength to get through another week of work. I think I can, I think I can...

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times,
For during those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes,
For they will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings.
~Author Unknown

Perhaps by the tone of my last post you could tell that I'm feeling down today, and this quote was just what I needed to read. My dad always says you must go through tough times so that you can better appreciate the good ones. I need to focus on these positive thoughts. Although I'm feeling down and lonely today, better days are coming soon.

p.s. I did make it to the gym. And more imporantly, I made it home safe.