A big THANK YOU!!

Today's Boston Walk for Epilepsy was really fun! I wanted to take this opportunity to thank  all the people that supported me (either through money or in spirit). It means so much to me, really more than I can say, that people donated something to help the Epilepsy Foundation of New England in my name. Thank you all so very much. You've made me feel very happy and you've helped a Foundation that has done so much for me and for many other people. I'm not sure how much money we raised at the event but I feel sure that whatever the amount turns out to be, it will make a positive difference in the lives of many other people. So thanks everyone!

Bston Walk for Epilepsy Tomorrow!

Boston's Walk for Epilepsy is tomorrow (5/31) and I'm so excited! There's always great people, nice food and music and fun! (Along with the walking of course.) If you are in the Boston area and want to have some time  I hope that you will join in the fun! This cause means a great deal to me as the Epilepsy Foundation of New England has done so much through its programs and support groups for people throughout New England, myself included.They have helped me to be an even happier person. I couldn't be more grateful to them. This is why I so strongly support them and their programs. I believe in my heart that this 2.5 walk is going to be the best one yet!

If you can come to the walk here are the details- hope to see you there!


Registration opens at 8:30am, and the walk begins at 10am.  Because of other events and construction in the area, we expect traffic to be denser than years’ past, so please plan your time accordingly.

GETTING THERE/ PARKING
MBTA (RECOMMENDED): Take the Red Line (Ashmont branch) to Fields Corner. The #202 bus route passes by two of the park's entrances: at Neponset Circle and at Hallet Street.

DRIVING: Take I-93 South to exit 12, Rt 3A South and merge onto Gallivan Boulevard (MA 203). The entrance is located on Hallet Street off Gallivan Blvd.  Block extra time if you plan to drive.
There are currently three EFNE-approved parking locations:

Staples Parking Lot: This lot will open first. Located at 757 Gallivan, this is the closest parking available to the walk.  You are about a quarter mile walk from the starting line if you park here.  Parking is permitted around the perimeter of the lot and the furthest two rows from the storefronts. This lot WILL fill up first, so please plan accordingly. There is no shuttle from this lot.

*******It is strongly suggested that drivers drop off their party and any donations at the corner of Hallet St. and Hill Top St and proceed on Hill Top St to park at either Gallivan or the Park and Ride, and take the shuttle in on their own.  Space is limited on the shuttle and this will ensure everyone gets to the park on time.*******
Gallivan Parking Lot: Located at 540 Gallivan Blvd, this location will be offering a shuttle to and from the walk from 8:30 am-2:00pm. If you care to walk to the park, it is a short 0.5-mile walk.
Milton Park and Ride: Located at approx. 88 Granite Ave about a mile walk from the start line, this lot will have a shuttle to take you to the walk from 9:00am-12:00pm.  You MUST be able to leave by 12pm to use this lot.
The shuttle will run a route back to the lots from 11am-2pm only.
Please visit http://www.epilepsynewengland.org/bostonwalk  for maps and more information.

Even Astronauts hug!

I saw this story on the news about 3 astronauts from the International Space Station who, in response to a reporter's question about whether there's room for politics in space, decided to give a big group hug. I liked it because it shows that it doesn't matter where you come from, you can still stand united no matter what might be happening. To me there's no better way to show that than a hug!

The power of a balloon

I was walking down the hallway to bathroom in the office I was suddenly confronted with a balloon floating randomly in the middle of the hallway. I still have no idea who left the balloon or how it got in the hallway but I decided to steal it and I stuck it to my desk just because I thought it looked lonely and in need of a home. I don't know what it is about them but I never realized how good balloons make me feel. That balloon somehow made my day so much better. Balloons are just.... in a word-HAPPY!

Happiness is.....

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." - Mahatma Gandhi

People seem to think that there's a secret to happiness. If  Gandhi is right (and I believe he is) the secret to happiness is being in harmony in everything you do and everything you are. To me it's being true to yourself as  well as to others. I think it's also about not being afraid to be who you are as a unique individual. I think everyone has a lot to offer society in a unique way. I love music and harmony and I think everyone contributes a new sound to the harmony that makes life worth living. Which is yet another thing that I love very much about humanity.

Memorial Day

When I think of Memorial Day, the idea that a group of people was willing to die so others including myself, could have a better life, that idea is quite humbling. It makes me want to be a better person.  If there have to be wars then I like to think that war is in part about love in terms of the love people who fight have for their country. So, I'm glad Memorial Day is a holiday here because I believe love in whatever form it comes in, is something to celebrate.

To see ourselves as others see us

"O would some power the gift to give us to see ourselves as others see us." Robert Burns

Recently Buzzfeed asked a group of people to come and look into a two-way mirror and talk about what they saw about how they looked. Unbeknownst to them, there was another group of people looking at them on the other side of the mirror and recorded what they thought about the personal appearance of the people on the other side of the mirror.  What I thought was really interesting was the people on the side who were asked to talk about how they felt they looked, had a whole lot of negative things to say about themselves. However, the people on the other side of the mirror had nothing but nice things to say about the people on the other side. What I liked most about the video was the fact that at the end, each person the group who was asked to talk about themselves was able to watch a video of what the people on the other side of the mirror had said about them. It was so nice just to see how happy it made these people and how it helped them to see that there is a lot of beauty in everyone including themselves. I liked how they all basically came to the conclusion that we have to believe in ourselves first. At least from a personal perspective, I've found that the better I feel about myself the better I am able to love others. This is slightly out of context but I'd like to end this post with something my roommate's boyfriend said to me once- he said that you "have to keep love alive." Not that I think love ever dies but I think we keep it more alive by loving ourselves.

Happy Birthday to Bob Dylan

Since it's Bob Dylan's birthday I thought I'd share a song by him that I like the best,  which is Blowin' in the Wind. I like songs that are meant to inspire people (or at least I think they're meant to inspire people.)  At least from a personal perspective, it makes me think  about things I'd like to improve in myself and in the world around me. I think Bob Dylan has given music a great gift in that his songs have impacted so many lives for the better. I think that's  a really wonderful legacy to have and so I wish Bob Dylan a very happy birthday!

I'm slowly but surely aquiring a green thumb!

I've managed to keep another plant alive for longer than I expected! I received a rose 2 weeks ago now because I joined a singing group and they gave each new member a flower. I have managed to keep this rose alive for 2 weeks which is a big deal for me because it makes me feel good that I can keep something outside of myself alive for an extended period of time. I know it's not a whole garden but I like that there are flowers and growing plants around me because I can look at them and smile. Seeing them alive makes me feel more alive. I'm considering getting a flower box or something similar now that it's spring it feels like there should be as many flowers around me. Never underestimate the power of a flower!

Laughter is Good for Your Brain!

According to Ellen DeGeneres (who of course is the fountain of a heck of a lot of knowledge), a new study just came out saying that laughter improves memory, lowers blood pressure and is addictive! I don't know why this research in any way earth shattering new knowledge but I still like the fact that people study laughter-that's how cool it is! I felt like I had to share the clip with Ellen explaining the study and how it also says that laughing for 20 minutes straight helps. She and her audience then try to do just . She didn't make it quite til 20 minutes but it is pretty funny. I felt good after watching it and yes, it did make me laugh!

2014 Walk for Epilepsy

I'm very excited that the 2014 Boston Walk for Epilepsy sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation of New England is coming up on May 31st!!! I'm trying to get as many people involved as possible! The Epilepsy Foundation of New England has done so much for me in helping fund programs and support groups I've taken part in. I've participated in the Walk for Epilepsy over the past couple of years and it's a lot of fun. If you are in the Boston area and can come, it would be lovely to see you. It's going to be held in John Paul II park in Dorchester, Massachusetts. To find out more information go to this website: http://www.firstgiving.com/efne/BostonWalk2014. The walk is 2.6 miles.

If you aren't from the Boston area but still want to help, I'd be very grateful to you if you could sponsor me and donate money through the webpage I created: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/maggie-sheets/BostonWalk2014 as it would make me happier than anything help more people benefit from the Epilepsy Foundation's programs as I have done.

Even if you can't come or donate money, moral support is also greatly appreciated. The idea that people support me in spirit is a lovely feeling! Thank you ever so much for your help!

Interesting things that happened today.......

Since I'm all for having seemingly useless bits of knowledge on hand (to try to store in your memory for the moment  when you might actually need them) here are 5 interesting historical things that happened today:
(Source: http://www.historyorb.com/today/)

Today in:

1310-shoes were made for both feet. (I guess before this date people really did have two left feet!)
1830 - D Hyde patented the fountain pen (now if he'd only patented a way to stop pens from disappearing, then I'd be really impressed.)
1873 - Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis patent first blue jeans with copper rivets (I'm forever grateful to these two men for creating clothes I can relax in!)
1895 - 1st commercial movie performance 153 Broadway, NYC- (It was a boxing match between Australian fighter, Albert Griffiths (Young Griffo) and Charles Barnett, [filmed on the rooftop of Madison Square Garden on May 4, 1895-source: http://www.filmsite.org/milestonespre1900s_2.html).
1927 - At 7:40 AM, pilot Charles Lindbergh takes off from NY to cross Atlantic for Paris. (It took him 33.5 hours to do it-I'm rather glad the trip doesn't take as long anymore!)

Happy birthday to Jimmy Stewart

It's Jimmy Stewart's birthday and because I had a bit of a crush on him when I was about 10 and thought he looked rather nice when I saw him in "It's a Wonderful Life" for the first time, I celebrate the anniversary of his birth by sharing a quote from him that I rather like. It is:

“I think one day you'll find that you're the hero you've been looking for.”

 

I know that people search for heroes, but to me, everyone's a hero just by being themselves.

What counts

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill to me is one of those people who seemed to have  gift of saying a great many quotable things. I like this quote because I don't think so often about how just carrying on can count for so much. I like thinking that all it takes to be brave is just taking each day as it comes. Therefore, everyone to me is very brave for seeing each day and living it out to the best of their abilities. So now that it's the end of one day and almost the beginning of another, I send out a cheer for all who read this just for getting through this day and getting up in the morning to meet the next one. I believe people can do so many good things each day and that's why I believe everyone has a lot of bravery in them and my hope is you always keep that bravery and live each day to the fullest! 

 

 

Things I hope every kid gets....

Today in 1620 the first merry-go-round was seen at a fair in Philippapolis, Turkey. Thinking of merry-go-rounds suddenly gets me feeling all nostalgic. I used to really like riding on those things, getting deliciously dizzy and riding on a funny colored horse with my mum holding on to me to make sure I never fell off so even if I was going round like crazy I still felt safe. It was a lot of fun. This got me thinking about things that made me feel happiest as a kid and below are some things  I hope all kids get to do/have at some point in their childhoods. Specifically:

• I hope every kid has at least one soft toy to cuddle, I just think it's nice for a kid to have something to hug whenever they want.
• I hope every kid has many people in their lives that love them dearly. 
• I hope every kid gets to eat at least one ice cream sundae, they are truly marvelous things.
• I hope every kid has someone read them a bedtime story, it always made me feel good.
• I hope every kid has someone to tuck them in at night. I always felt a nice sense of safety when my parents did that.
• I hope every kid watches one of the older Disney movies, just because they're fun- they also made me feel happy.
• I hope every kid watches Sesame Street (or a similar program)-it's fun and educational and I hope it goes on forever. 
• I hope every kid has teachers who believe in them and their potential and teachers that go out of their way to help kids succeed. I was lucky to have many such teachers and I think that I wouldn't be where I am today without the support of these teachers and my parents.
• I hope every kid plays a sport. It's fun!
• I hope every kid gets to ride on a merry-go-round!

A gift each day

"Each day provides its own gifts."-Marcus Aurelius

I like this quote because I believe in what it says. The idea that each day can and does bring a new gift, whether it's the sun shining, or seeing someone smile at you, makes me feel good inside. If nothing else, I give the blog posts I write  to all who read it in the hope that these posts might be a bright spot in people's days. So my gift for you today is just a small message that even if I don't know you personally,I want you to know that I care about you very much. I figure love and friendship is the best thing to give as a gift. .

Each day provides its own gifts.

Marcus Aurelius

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes_of_the_day.html#ctHrgd4HogI1fEEx.99

Hooray for families

Today is International Day of Families which was actually started in 1994. I celebrate my family because I don't know where I'd be. I could go on and on about how I love my family and how I'm proud to be a daughter of great parents. I'm happy that I have a wonderful sister and brother and aunts and uncles and that they love me. I'm glad I can give my love and support to all of them in return. Outside of my family, I care for people in general  because I want people to be able to feel some of the same love I've always been given by my family. So to spread the love and to celebrate the love my family has given me, I keep this blog.

Inspiring Speeches

I was just thinking how it's so cool that a good speech can inspire people to act or make people just feel good. Here are some clips of short speeches that have made me feel good. I hope  it has the same effect of inspiring you as well. (Yes these are all from movies just because I think movies are fun.)

I just like this speech because I think Despicable Me is a really funny movie, I'd love to have a Minion in real life and I think people should shoot for the moon but perhaps not steal it!

This speech is from the play (and later on movie) Henry V. I realize this speech is about war and getting people ready to fight someone but I still think the language is beautiful. In any case, it makes me feel like being brave. I also like how it urges people to band together and be a "band of brothers." I figure if people must struggle, it's better to struggle with a friend than all alone.

This is from the movie Crazy Stupid Love and I like it because like Steve Carell, I believe that you should never give up on love no matter what happens.

Boston's resident pig

"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."-Sir Winston Churchill

Boston apparently has a resident pig. One of my friends said she saw a man with a pig named Bobby walking down Newbury Street today (a street with lots of very posh shops down it.) . I think the idea of a pig walking down a street like he owns the place is strangely marvelous which is why I think the above quote fits well. I think it shows everyone has a place in the world and evidently Bobby's place is downtown Boston!

You're never too old....

'"You're never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream."  C.S. Lewis

I don't want to ever stop dreaming and I hope you never stop either because I believe dreams can come true as long as I can work towards them.

A poem in honor of my Mum

So I got my Mum a card once with a picture of an otter on it and wrote this poem inside it. Since I think it was funny, I thought I'd share it with the rest of you. Happy belated Mother's day to all the Mums (and otters) out there!


To my Mother:

I'm so glad I have a mother
who is not like any otter
As I wouldn't want it any otter way
Because I love my motter!

Photo from:  The Daily Mail: http://preview.tinyurl.com/3b52pns

Mother's Day quote

“Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.”-William Makepeace Thakeray 

I really like this quote about mothers and the quote rings true for me. She's always been there guiding and watching over me and my sister and brother. She helped make sure that we are always surrounded by love. Plus, I know that even though we live apart, she's always with me in my heart!

To My Mum

My Mum is great in so many ways
She knows all these facts to help you find the way to go
She knows what clothes look best
And when you really need to get some rest
My Mum just just knows

My mum is fun!
She knows how to make people laugh
She tells the best stories
And has persuaded me to read great books
She's plans really excellent parties (and enjoys them too!)

I love my Mum for so many things
It's not just that she's smart, funny, and great
It's that she's always been there for all her kids
She's gone the extra mile for each one of us
And I just can't thank her enough!

Songs in honor of my Mum

Since I love music and my Mum I thought I'd share some of the music she loves because she has, among many other things, passed down that love to me and I hope you enjoy these pieces of music as much as I do.

• O Mio Bambino Caro-it's just beautiful. (Listen here)
• Someone to watch over me-my mum loves this song-I think because she's always so great at taking care of everyone! (Listen here).
• Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring (Listen here). She's always liked that song -it is very peaceful.
• Some Enchanted Evening-mostly because she likes the guy who sings that song in the movie South Pacific (Listen here.)
• Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter -she gets all nostalgic when she hears it! (Listen here)

Why I love my protective dog

As I mentioned I like going home partially because it allows me to see my family's dog which is a border collie named Doogle. Anyway, when I get home Doogle typically jumps up and down like crazy and then promptly  either stands or sits down in front of me and doesn't move. It's kind of sweet like he's trying to protect me, although from what I don't know. Maybe it's just that he is a sheepdog and it's a natural instinct but I like it. To me it shows how dogs care about people even though they're not even the same species. I think it shows how love or at least affection can transcend everything. Plus, I just plain love dogs!

Happy Birthday Tchaikovsky!

Today is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's birthday. (He created the music for the Nutcracker Ballet, the Swan Lake, Ballet, the 1812 Overture and much more.) If it were humanly possible, he'd be 174 years old today. I celebrate the anniversary of his birthday because I think his music is beautiful and often very encouraging. I like the Nutcracker because it makes me think of Christmas and my family. I like the Swan Lake Ballet because the hopeless romantic in me thinks of princes and princesses dancing with each other and being happy. The 1812 overture makes me think of fireworks and triumph over disaster. I listen to it and it makes me think that no matter what might happen, I can get through it and listen to encouraging music like that while doing so!

Travel!

"There are many ways of seeing the world. You can hang upside down from a meteor, volunteer to be the fourth stage of a three-stage rocket, or simply get in a balloon and keep going. But if it's sheer, unadulterated discomfort you're looking for, just stay on land." Michael Palin

It's the actor and world traveller Michael Palin's birthday and I thought I'd share something he said. Like Palin I love traveling as I've found it to be a lot of fun. I hope everyone has the chance to travel somewhere different even if it's not so far from home. After all, seeing a bit more of the world just takes stepping out of one's front door and seeing where the adventure leads to!

Flowers grow out of darkness

"Flowers grow out of dark moments."

Corita Kent

I like this quote because I think it's true that when things are darkest beauty and happiness can still be found!

On Graduation

My brother and sister both graduated this weekend and it got me thinking of what I'd tell people that are graduating. Ever since I graduated I've lived by the following ideas:

*Especially when things are hard, don't give up.

*Be good to people because all we have in life is each other.

*Laugh at least once a day- it's the best medicine.

*Get enough sleep and eat healthy stuff it makes one feel good. :)

*No matter what happens never let the bastards grind you down!

Congratulations to all 2014 graduates!

Best things about being home

To follow up on previous posts about being home now that I'm visiting my family for a bit it got me thinking about things I like best about home. Here are some reasons why I love going home

*I get to see my family and my dog- a border collie named Doogle.

*I get to help make and eat my dad's blueberry pancakes and my mom's cooking in general.

*I can go for walks with my family down the road by my house without a car coming for a good 10 minutes.

*I can sleep in the bed that I slept in while I was growing up.

*I can watch movies with my mum and sister and discuss them afterwards.

While I feel I can feel at home almost anywhere there's something special about going back to the home I grew up in. There really is no place like it!

Somewhere to belong

"A human life, I think, should be well rooted in some spot of a native land, where it may get the love of tender kinship for the face of the earth, for the labors men go forth to, for the sounds and accents that haunt it, for whatever will give that early home a familiar unmistakable difference amidst the future widening of knowledge. The best introduction to astronomy is to think of the nightly heavens as a little lot of stars belonging to one's own homestead." - George Eliot

I like  this quote a lot mostly because to me it says that everyone deserves somewhere to belong that has a lot of love in it and everyone deserves to have a lot of stars in life to guide them to wherever home happens to be. Like the stars, my heart will always be with my home and family and everyone who reads this blog because the idea that someone might read this is a bright spot in my day. So if you are reading this, thank you!