Just because I'm in the mood for Latin music....

My roommate and I were playing Latin music and had an impromptu dance party just for fun. It got me thinking about Latin songs that make me want to dance. Now I feel the need to share the short list I came up with.

• Gipsy Kings-Bamboleo-It's cheerful, old school, and fun (listen here)
• Buena Vista Social Club-Chan Chan- Although it can be nice to dance to, it does help me relax. (listen here.)
• Shakira & Alejandro Sanz La Tortura-when I dance to it I feel sexy. (listen here)
• Santana & Jorge Moreno Satellite (Spanish version)-it's actually from a movie but I like the song a lot (listen here).
• Juanes La Camisa Negra (Listen here.) I went to a Spanish immersion course and for some reason this song was played quite a bit there. I had a good time on the course so this song brings back good memories (along with making me want to dance.)

Just because I love to laugh-here's a funny video -thanks to Ellen DeGeneres

I really enjoy laughing. It never ceases to make me feel better, no matter what. In that spirit, I thought I'd share a video that really did make me laugh. It's from the Ellen DeGeneres show. I felt it was funny, hope it brightens your day. :)

Things I learned from Watching the Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2 movie

Tonight I was able to watch the last Hunger Games movie Mockingjay, and after watching it:

• Battles (as much as I'm not in favor of them)  just seem so much better if someone gives a good and rousing speech first.
• I want to learn how to dance like they do at the wedding in District 13-I've always liked dancing.
• I'm so glad I'm never going to be chased by anything except maybe my dog. 
• I learned that nothing beats a good disguise. 
• I always liked Peetah and Katniss. Katniss for being brave and Peetah for enduring. I like them because they never gave up. 

Overall, I thought the movie was really good. Go see it and "may the odds be ever in your favor!" 

Joy in giving

I like Black Friday, but not just because there are sales in the stores in the US. What I like about Black Friday is that for the most part, I think people use it to purchase things for others.  Even if it is consumerism, I still like doing things and buying things that benefit people in some way. I just like seeing people smile when they open presents. I write this blog each day as a way of giving a happy message to people. So this is my present to you for today and I hope this Friday was a really nice one for you!

Things to be thankful for

As in the US it's a day to be thankful

I want to say that as per tradition I'm thankful 

For everyone in my life because I love them

I'm grateful for having the things I need

And that I'm able to do as I please

I'm also thankful for edible things 

Like pecan pie and ice cream, and turkey, mash potatoes, and green beans 

(And the fact that for one day a year

I don't care about how much I eat.) 

I'm happy feeling replete! 

I'm also thankful for Trivial Pursuit

As it's something I can do with my family 

Just to increase our knowledge of odd facts

So we can all repeat them to each other 

If conversation lags 

Finally, I want to thank the powers that be

For making holidays very happy ones for me

Because they are times when my family is all together

And life seems better that way 

So I have a lot to be thankful for, regardless of whether it's Thanksgiving Day

Thank you very much!

As it's the day before Thanksgiving, it reminded me of  how Thanksgiving somehow makes me  think of this song called Thank You Very Much." It's actually from the Christmas movie called "Scrooge" but I still think it's a applicable. At any rate, the song makes me feel good and I think holidays are days to feel good in general. So I just have to say Thank You Very Much for holidays and for people in general. I send everyone lots of love and good wishes!

Kids are smart!

I think at times kids are smarter than we give them credit for. Case in point, I saw this adorable little girl who is 3 and can recite the periodic table. I had to share it because I thought it was sweet. Three cheers for kids because kids are awesome in general!

When I want to feel sassy.....

I feel like everyone should feel sassy at least sometimes. I know that sometimes when I get all dressed up to go some place special or just for the heck of it (which I sometimes do so people asking me where I'm going because I am going places, even if I don't know exactly where those places are all the time.) it feels pretty damn good. Music also adds to the effect. To that end, here are some songs I listen to when I want to feel sassy.

• Are You Gonna Be My Girl- Jet (listen here.)
• Hard to Handle-The Black Crowes (listen here.) 
• All American Girl-Train-(listen here.) 
• Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing-Stevie wonder (listen here.)
• Fell In Love With A Girl-Jack White (listen here.)
• This Love-Maroon 5 (listen here.)
• Secret -Maroon 5 (listen here.)
• Feeling Good-Michael Buble (listen here.)
• I've Got To See You Again -Norah Jones (listen here.) 
• I Won't Fear Love (Sarah McLachlan (listen here.)

Here's to feeling sassy!

Crosswords

I love crossword puzzles. My great aunt is extremely good at them and won prizes from her local newspapers for getting all the answers right and turning in the results. (Back then in the UK you got prizes for doing that-she even won trips to places too.) Today I had the great privilege of sitting and doing a crossword puzzle with a lovely woman who goes to my church. She's young at heart, even if she may be older in years. I've always liked doing things with older people. I like learning things from them and I hope that I am like them when I get to be their age. Anyway, crossword puzzles are best when one is doing them with other people-there's more fun and laughter involved. Puzzles and problems are better when they're figured out in teams. Even if it does require a dictionary sometimes, it's especially nice when the puzzle is finished!

Shining A Light

I'm watching a televised concert Called Shining a Light concert to raise awareness of the progress of race in the US. It's also meant to raise money for the Mother Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina that was the site of a shooting over the summer. I know that race continues to be a divisive issue but I'm glad that through this concert, music is being used to promote more tolerance, understanding, and love.  I wish more fights could be solved with music. I heard this song called Remedy by the Zac Brown. In the song it says that love is the remedy. I do think love is something that endures and is stronger than any hatred or anger could be. I resolve to love more.

For all the cat lovers out there....

Although I do like dogs, these videos of cats (shown on the Ellen show) made me laugh a lot. All I can say is they're perrrfect!

Just a wish for a Wednesday!

I just wanted to wish everyone a very happy Wednesday! We've all officially made it halfway through the week! Yay for Wednesdays!

Classy Movie Uptown Funk!

Old movies musicals that involve lots of singing and dancing have always made me feel really happy, as does the song Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars. Life is more fun with dancing in it and so I couldn't help sharing this video  (and dancing along with it!)

Comfy!

I feel like everyone should have the chance to feel comfy at least once every day (preferably when one is safe and warm in bed.) I hope that wherever you are you have a comfy place to sleep or at least a pillow to snuggle up with.  I always liked having something to hug before going to bed. I can't really describe how, but that does give me a sense of safety that helps me feel at peace and allows me to fall asleep. I hope everyone sleeps well and has someone/something to hug.

You know you have a lovely roommate when...

You know you have lovely roommates when:

• You can come home and say hi to each other and talk to each other about how the day went. It's just nice to live with someone who cares that you're there. 
• If you're sick they bring you soup and send you messages throughout the day to cheer you up (and vice versa).
• You can watch movies together. 
• You cook dinner together.
• They do "Need A Hug?" events with you! 
• You have random inside jokes with each other.
• You have good discussions with each other and can give advice to each other when needed. 
• They respect when you need privacy but are always there when you need to talk.
• If you're feeling a bit down they hug you and tell you things will get better.
• You can just generally have fun with each other.

To finish,  I"m just so glad to have (in the past and present) lovely roommates!

Sending love to Paris

Whenever I think of Paris, I think of roses for some reason and of course the song La Vie en Rose. To me, Paris is kind of like a rose as it's beautiful and wild and fun and I believe it will continue to be that way no matter what happens. As long as people are willing to stand together and support each other as they are doing now in France, they will come out stronger regardless of any tragedies they might face. So I say "Vive la France" because France does live on and doesn't give up! I send best wishes and much love to Paris!

Believe in all possibilities!

"I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities."

Whoopi Goldberg

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/whoopi_goldberg.html#2iTh36JXCpIChlf9.99

I too like to believe everything is possible. Although some things came to me more easily than others but I still think people can have what they want in life. It's true, I might not get everything I want the minute I want it, but I find I look around sometimes and see that things have worked out for the best, even if whatever "the best" turns out to be not what I initially planned. I think I did get where I am because I believed I could do it and also because people believed in me and my abilities. I hope that whatever it is you want to do, that you believe you can do it and if it means something to you, know that because I believe all things are possible, I believe in you and wish you the best!

Useful things I've learned

"Always desire to learn something useful."-Sophocles

In agreement with the quote above, here are some random (and useful) things I've learned in my life.

• You can unscrew a very difficult to unscrew lid off a jar if you stick it under hot water for a bit and then dry it off and twist it. Keep repeating the process until you manage to get the dang jar open! (This is the one thing I remember from grade school science class-shows you how much I liked science class.)
• Although I don't advise doing so, it is possible to go a whole night without sleep with the help of green tea. 
• When in doubt, smile-it does the soul some good.
• Sometimes losing can be more fun than winning-as long as you know you did your best and you have a pretty awesome group of friends who cheer you on.
• A cup of tea can solve (almost) every problem-well, perhaps not, but it does make things seem a bit better anyway.  

Coming home

In honor of Veteran's Day or Remembrance Day, (depending on what part of the world you're from,) I decided to share a video I saw of a soldier coming home to his children.  There's something nice about parents coming home, whether its from war or just from work in general. This video reminded me of when my dad used to come home from work and my sister, brother, and I would run and hug him as he came through the door, as if he'd been gone for a year rather than just 8 hours. Although I know that Remembrance Day is to remember those who died in war, I still want to remember people who came back, like my Dad and Granddad. Although I don't want to forget those who died fighting, I'm glad people come home.

Destiny

"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it." -Jean De La Fontaine

I've found that things I thought wouldn't be good for me to do, somehow were the best things that could have happened to me. I do believe in destiny just because I feel it's nice to think that there's a plan for everything, even if I don't always know what the plan is. Perhaps the not knowing is what makes life more fun.  However, it does feel really nice to find out where one is supposed to be, it feels like coming home. For example,

• I always thought I'd stay in Michigan, I grew up there and I always liked being home, just because I felt safe and much loved when I'm with my family. It wasn't so much that I didn't feel safe and loved in other places, there was just something special about being home. However, In many ways, I think I'm lucky my parents influenced to go to school out of state. As much as I still love Michigan, I realize home is wherever I come to rest and that my family is always with me in my heart. I think my destiny is to travel and right now to live near Boston. 
• On a smaller scale, it took me ages to learn to ride a bike-perhaps due to lack of depth perception but more to do with fear. Now, although I highly doubt that being a professional cyclist is in the cards for me, I do enjoy riding my bike. It shows me I'm destined to go places!
• I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 19. I used to think it was something I'd always hate having. However, I've come to find that it is one of the best things that could have happened in that it helps me to trust in the good in people.  Complete strangers have been really kind and have helped me when I really needed it. Plus, having epilepsy helped me meet some really wonderful people through support groups.  In that way, I've learned I've come full circle with my diagnosis, so maybe it was my destiny. What I do know though is that it turned out to be a good thing despite the fact that at first it was something I didn't want to deal with. 

I hope that whatever you face in life, that it leads to something good for you even if the way to what you want or need doesn't seem like the most direct route!

Joy in understanding!

"The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous."-Carl Sagan

My whole life I've always asked questions

Too many sometimes, but I asked them anyway

I find joy in trying to understand things 

Especially because very few things stay the same.

I learned a second language so I could understand people better

Being a decent listener has also served to bring me closer to people

I find joy in helping others work out their problems,  just because

It's one way to show my love for them and I love many people quite a lot

I feel happiest when I'm using my brain to do something good 

Especially if that something good helps someone else

Because acting together, my brain and heart serve to love people

While that may not solve all problems, I figure it's a joyous start!

Where words fail...

"Where words fail, music speaks."-Hans Christian Andersen

I love music and I have heard music that I've felt was so pretty I really don't have words to describe it. All I can do is share it.

Just because sheep dogs make me happy!

I saw this joke and had to share it because my family has a sheep dog and I love sheep dogs!

After a talking sheepdog gets all the sheep in the pen, he reports back to the farmer: “All 40 accounted for.”

“But I only have 36 sheep,” says the farmer.

“I know,” says the sheepdog. “But I rounded them up.”

Joke from: http://www.rd.com/jokes/corny/

A Friday Wish

This is just a short post to say I wish everyone the happiest of Fridays!

A writing assignment

I've become part of a writer's group and today we were assigned to write about great love-this is what I wrote.

My greatest love-now I could go on about how I love my family and friends (and  I do very much, by the way) but right now when I think of great love, I think of all things, MINIONS! For those who don’t know, Minions are yellow creatures that typically wear blue overalls and are featured in the Despicable Me movies along with a movie  that’s just about them. They basically follow the evilest person they can find and make it their mission to do the evildoer’s bidding, with hilarious results.  The love I have for minions has led me even to make a few Minions out of clay in an art class I took recently.   

Ever since I saw the Minions in those movies, I can’t help but love them. I really love how they make me laugh. If I’m ever in a bad mood, or just upset, I think of them and somehow I feel better.  I even like how they fight over bananas somehow.  (After all, what is life without a few good bananas!) They show me that even fighting can be funny in some cases. I wish more fights could be resolved by laughter. 

When my boss (who is a very understanding man, by the way), found out how I felt about Minions he bought me a Minion T-shirt. When he gave it to me, he said that he thought I liked Minions so much because I live deviously through them, which allows me to be the good woman that I am (little does he know..heh, heh, heh.)

What my boss said somehow make me think about great love in general. I think great love makes us be our true selves because I believe that like Minions (who are just shamelessly evil-and they let everyone know it) love also has no secrets.  I (unlike a Minion) might be able to hide what I feel but it does feel so much better to tell someone that I love them. In a broader sense, Minions aside, it used to really annoy me in movies and books when people would die without telling someone they loved them. I resolved to tell people I loved them so that when I eventually kick that dang bucket, no one would be in any doubt that I cared about them very much.  I think great love is especially great if it is shared.  In a way, I feel that Minions reinforced that to me. Minions need each other, not just to survive, but to really live.  Survival is just getting through the day-really living is something different. Really living to me is doing things that make you feel fulfilled.

All I know is that love makes me feel alive. I find that in my heart, what I really love is people. I believe all we have in life is each other.  I can only really love Minions as an idea. I love people more and I resolve to keep loving them greatly!

How Maggie developed fairly decent judgement

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

Will Rogers

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/will_rogers.html#bu1vg7Vte0u4eTlx.99

Here are some of the things I've learned that helped me develop pretty good judgement (at least that's what I like to think anyway.)

• While it can be fun to  ski straight down a hill without turning, stopping without falling down was a bit of a problem for me! (Still, it was fun!)
• As much as I might like to rebel, when my parents told me not to do something, those instructions were usually for a good reason. (Things like instructions not to touch a hot stove come to mind.) I still look to my parents for advice-even if I still disregard some of it.
• Taking a job just to do it does make money but it didn't make me happy. I feel I'm lucky now to be doing something I really enjoy and having lovely coworkers makes it that much better.
• Other than in cases where one needs a diversion or an escape route, for me, shouting wasn't always the most constructive way to end an argument.
• Overall, my life is more fun with mistakes in it.

A boy finally gets a new heart-Yay for Tayt Andersen!

I've been following the story of a little boy named Tayt Anderson who needed a heart transplant and he was finally able to get a new heart over the summer. I liked his story because he's always been really positive and his mom said that Ellen DeGeneres (who is Tayt's girlfriend) was there with him. In a way to me, it's an example of how important even just words of encouragement and love are to people. I'm also just really glad he got a new heart. I know he's going to grow up and do great things. I wish Tayt and all his family the best!

Let the more loving be me...

"If equal affection cannot be, let the more loving be me." -W.H. Auden

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes_of_the_day.html#uJMKMe1Igg0BhK8u.99

I figure a little more loving in the world can't hurt and even if that love isn't necessarily returned, I figure love is a gift that you give without expectation of return- I just give it. So if you feel in need of some love, I send you lots of love and wish you the best. :)

Things to like about Daylight Savings Time Ending

I like Daylight Savings Time Ending Because:

• On the first day of Daylight Savings Time ending you get an extra hour of sleep! (Yay!)
• It means holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming sooner than I think! (Yay!)
• It means that things seem lighter in the mornings which makes them happier! (Yay!)
• It means that things are getting cooler (Why is this happy for me? As much as I grow to dislike snow I don't think I could live in a place where seasons don't change.  I feel like if I want the warm I have to take the cold-it just seems fair to me that way-mind you once we have an insane amount of snow in Boston my mind will probably change quite quickly. However, for now I say yay for snow-even if I am a hypocrite!)
• I just plain like Daylight Savings Time just because it is what it is!