A Happy Halloween

 I went to see the movie the Book of Life with a good friend as we both felt we should see something Halloweenish but not crazy scary. It was sweet and Disney through and through and I liked it because I feel like I need a little bit of sweetness to balance out the scary in life. Although I do have to admit there are times when I do feel like getting good and scared. Somehow it makes me feel more alive because seeing scary things reminds me how life is fragile and that it should be enjoyed. That's why Halloweens are happy for me, even if I do get a little spooked!

One Care's Anniversary event was a success!

I'm pleased to report that today's One Care Anniversary event went really well! I think what I liked best about the event was that it gave people a place to voice their opinions about the One Care program-what they liked about it and what needs improvement. I think if people should have a say about anything they should have a say about their health care and the things that should be done to make it better. I'm really glad that events like today's event happen so people have the opportunity to express those things. I'm proud that I was a part of that. I want people to have a voice and to be able to shout about things they care about. Right now I want to shout out to everyone who planned the event including members of Disability Advocates Advancing Our Health Care Rights, the Boston Center for Independent Living and the Disability Policy Consortium of Massachusetts.  You all really are awesome!

Celebrating an anniversary of One Care!

Tomorrow an event will be held to mark the one year anniversary of One Care which is a program in Massachusetts that streamlines services for people that are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid so that they can get a better standard of care. I consider this a happy event because it's a program that has made a difference in people's lives. People should have adequate access to the healthcare services they need and this program is meant to help ensure that health care is more accessible.  I'm writing about this on this blog because it makes me happy that something has been done to make a positive difference in people's lives in terms of maintaining their health. I'm pleased because I had a direct role in planning the event and I know it's going to be a great experience.  It'll give people a chance to discuss how this program can be improved. I want One Care to be the best it can be so that even more people can be helped by it. This is why I'm glad I can be part of tomorrow's event because it's all about improving this program.

I realize it's short notice but if you have time and are on One Care I hope that you will join us tomorrow at 26 West St. Boston, MA 02111. The event is from 2PM-4PM. There will be food and speakers from major health plans in Massachusetts.  Come share your thoughts!

Hope to see you there!!!

A Day of Joy

"The older you get, the more fragile you understand life to be. I think that's good motivation for getting out of bed joyfully each day. " Julia Roberts

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/juliarober451463.html#T1qxSi3hp81ghAbQ.99

When I think about life being fragile I think about how people tend to be more careful with fragile things and thus find a bit more joy in them. I've come to find there's so much to be joyful about in life. Like today a stranger on the train smiled at me, a co-worker gave me a hug and later I was able to meet up with a group of friends and one of them made a pie for all of us to share. Then, to top it all off, I'm now sitting here and enjoying writing this blog.  These things that happened today may not seem huge but I did find joy in all of them and my life is now better because these things happened. So today ( and every other day I can find nice things happening) is a pretty joyous day!

The universal language of laughter

"A wonderful thing about true laughter is that it just destroys any kind of system of dividing people." -John Cleese

I found this lovely quote by John Cleese that I quite agree with.  I love laughter because it's a language everyone understands, it unites people (as laughter is best when it's shared) and it makes everyone feel good. I figure if I can laugh each day then I can't really have a bad day. So here's to days with laughter that can't be bad and here's to John Cleese as it's his birthday!

Another happy sign

So much can be expressed through art and I love it most when people go out of their way to make someone's day a bit brighter! I saw this on the sidewalk today by Coolidge Corner and it really did make me smile, which as the art suggests, it's something I should always remember to do!

Boston Book Festival

I love reading and so naturally I really like the Boston Book Festival mostly because as the name suggests it's full of books, plus there's live music performed. While I didn't get any books somehow being around them for me is strangely comforting. I've always liked stories and how they could take me away to different places and I always liked traveling (whether virtually in books or in reality.) Sometimes I think it's good to have an escape like that just for a little while. It makes coming back to reality more refreshing for me.  In a way I hope everyone has a bit of escapism in their lives, just because, just for the heck of it, and no other reason!

Music that makes me feel alive!

Today in 1818 the composer Felix Mendelssohn performed his first concert in Berlin. I'm not sure what he played but it reminded me of some music he wrote  called Symphony No.4 in A, 'Italian', 1st movement. I like it best because it's really cheerful. If this musical piece was a person, I'd imagine it being a little kid jumping up and down and dancing like crazy. I like music that makes me feel alive and full of energy like that. It's a lovely feeling!

Putting the fun back in fundraiser!

I just got back from the Disability Policy Consortium's Annual awards dinner/fundraiser and it was..well fun! I thought it was fun because they had good speeches about the things people had achieved and done this past year. I think what I liked best and what I found the most fun was the prize giving. People were given awards for their services helping people with disabilities. I just like seeing people getting recognized for the great things they do.  I think a lot of people don't get recognized that often for all the good things that they do and how much they help others. In short I like unsung heroes the best. Sometimes I think that people who don't want a lot of recognition deserve it the most. Even if they may not seek recognition sometimes I think getting that praise lifts the spirit and perhaps can spark people to do even greater things. In some ways I wish I could give everyone a prize for something good that they did just to show that that good thing is (or should be) appreciated, no matter how small the thing might be. Then again, I suppose if everyone got a prize for things then they wouldn't be as nice. Anyway, I'm still happy for the people that got awards tonight! I want to wish congratulations to Dennis Heaphy from the DPCMA, the MBTA's General Manager-Beverly Scott, and Kim and Brian Charlson for getting awards for their services helping improve the lives of people with disabilities in so many ways. I'm really pleased for all of you!

Happy birthday to Franz Liszt

The composer Franz Liszt was born today in 1811. I heard this piece today by him and it just seemed so nice to me that I had to share it. It's called "Liebestraum." I've no idea what the name means but to me the music is at once beautiful and stirring at the same time. Sometimes there are songs and pieces of music that when I listen to them, they make me thing "this is why music exists." They express so much and leave me hoping for more still to come. This is just such a piece of music and it feels so good to listen to it!

If I were a thief...

I just finished reading The Book Thief which is about a girl who lives with her adoptive family in Nazi Germany and her adventures growing up (and stealing books of course.) It made me think about a friend of mine and how we used to joke we'd steal one of those cars that they put in malls as prizes for some competition or other. We just thought the idea was really amusing for some reason. No, we didn't steal the car in the end (not least because we hadn't schemed up a good enough plan before she had to go back home to her country when her student exchange program finished. ) Although I like to think of myself as a fairly honest person, in my imaginary idealistic, thieving mind I don't think I'd want to steal a car. Well, to really explain what I'd steal I thought I'd write a poem about it instead.

If I were a thief

If I were an idealistic thief
I'd steal all the sad thoughts in the world
And throw them in the gutter where they belong
And I'd take the tears away for good measure
Just because I could, so there!

If I were a fun thief
I'd steal a Volkswagen beetle
Just because I like how they have flower pots inside them!
And I think I'd take some egg rolls too because I love them
I'd have to do it before my conscious kicks in making me feel so bad I'd give them all back again!

I don't think I'd make a good thief
As it's something I don't really want to be
But there are things I want to have and do
Mainly make the world a bit better
And have loads of fun too!

If I were a hobbit

Just for fun and because the book "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" was first published today in 1955 and because I like the hobbit books, I thought about the things I'd like to have if I were a hobbit.

• At least one good adventure-as much as hobbits say they don't want to have adventures, you know that deep down they jolly well do!
• Gandalf the Grey by my side-he seems to be extremely handy in times of crises.
• Elf healing powers-I'd like to be able to cure things like they do-they seem to be able to cure everything by doing a bit of chanting.
• A really awesome friend like Samwise Gamjee to go on adventures with-he just seems so devoted and lovable-in short the perfect adventure companion!
• A couple of other hobbits to come along for the ride-namely Merry and Pippin as they are just so incredibly entertaining!

If I could have one spy item...

Just because I've been reading (and rather enjoying) some spy novels recently and because spy novelist John le Carre was born today in 1931, I had this thought about how wicked fun it might be just to have one James Bond -spy-type item. I wouldn't really want to spy on anyone because that doesn't do it for me. I just like the idea of having a spy item-it just seems so....well, cool. So getting back to the point, if I could have one spy item I think it would be a  leather belt that conceals a piston hidden behind the buckle that can fire out a rope of up to 75 feet (23 m) of high tensile wire designed to support the weight of an average person. I saw this belt in the movie GoldenEye and I thought it would be a very handy thing to have in case of fires or when one is doing something devious and needs to make a quick getaway! Then again, if I did have such a rope, I'd then have the added problem of trying to get down it without getting rope burn -so there are ups and downs to everything (in this case literally!) While I still like the idea of acquiring something like that, I'm quite satisfied to watch James Bond use it instead. I'd rather not be shaken or stirred I've decided!

A concert

Today was the Boston Skyline Chorus's fall concert and it was really fun. As you can see we all got all dolled up and glam-looking and we all sounded great! I think what I liked most about it was how the whole thing was tied together with a story. We sang songs like Mack the Knife, Hallelujah, Kokomo ( by the Beach Boys) as well as some patriotic songs like the US national anthem and America the Beautiful. All these songs may not have seemed related but a chorus member tied them together into a story about a college student coming to Boston. In many ways it was very like the concept of the movie/play Mama Mia where seemingly unrelated songs are put together into a story. I like the story aspect of the performance best because I think music can tell many stories. What I know is that I'm  glad that I can be part of Boston Skyline Chorus and that it's part of my life's story, because it is really fun and I've been happy being part of it! I'm glad I can spread some of the happiness I feel when I'm singing with them, to a wider audience. Congratulations to the BSC for a wonderful performance!

Me with another lovely Boston Skyline Chorus member

Living slightly dangerously

It's Evel Knievel's birthday -for those who don't know Mr. Knievel is a motorcycle daredevil. I just think it's funny that people can be called daredevils and I like Evel Knievel's name I just the way it sounds. Anyway, thinking of Mr. Knievel got me thinking about some of the daredevilish things I've done (or at least I felt they were daredevil type things-they might seem tame to the rest of the world, but I think it's the idea that counts!)

• I think the biggest risky thing I did (and I know I've written about it a lot, but only because it means a lot to me) was decide to give hugs to random strangers-it's one of the best things I've done.
• My dad has a pickup truck and somehow the biggest thing for me was being able to ride in the back bed of truck and he'd go fast down the road to wherever we were going and it did feel a bit like we were flying-it was fun!

I know these are only 2 examples but from doing those things I found that a little risk taking makes life just that much better!

It's when you think you've hit rock bottom things start to get fun

"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."-Harriet Beecher Stowe
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/harrietbee155746.html#IjPz4qfm8viT0pfR.99

I like the idea that things get better especially in difficult times, it's something that's very comforting to me in times of need. When thinking about things like that idea, I know that can't give up because if I did, then I might have missed out on the better things that came because of the difficult things. For example in looking for work,  there were times when it was hard and I wasn't sure what would happen next but it made me become closer with my friends and family and also influenced me to go out and meet more people. Plus, I started keeping this blog which has turned out to be a constant source of happiness for me. In writing this blog I made a decision to have it be one place in my life which is always positive no matter what. All this has taught me that getting through difficult things isn't so hard when I think of the fact that there is always hope for better things to come! 

The true delight in finding out something nice

"The true delight is in the finding out rather than in the knowing." -Isaac Asimov

I think that when you first find out something wonderful it feels greatest at the moment you first find it out. It is those moments when I've just found out something nice that I remember most. In those happy moments, I remember feeling nothing but joy and hope for the future. Today for example, I was informed that I've been hired full time for a job that I'd been doing for a trial period. I've loved this job and thinking of it makes me think about how nice it is to work. Just to be able to do something well, enjoy it, and  be paid for it so that I can be independent and not have to rely on others for income, is a wonderful feeling.  I'll remember this day and if I find myself feeling a bit under the weather, I'll think of it and be reminded that happy moments can come at the most random moments.

How the Earth expresses itself

"The earth laughs in flowers."-E.E. Cummings

The poet/author/essayist/playwright E.E. Cummings was born today in 1894. I like this quote and it inspired me to write the following.

According to Mr Cummings
The earth laughs in flowers
And to me a warm breeze
Is like a kiss from people I love
Who are now in the clouds watching over me

In winter when it snows and cold is all I know
I think of the flowers and how they come back
Then I feel better despite the nasty weather
Snowmen and sledding suddenly seems more fun that way
And if I can't enjoy that, I can know that even winter ends someday

If the world laughs in flowers it dances with the sun
As do I because let's face it, lovely when it's warm
Of course it's then that the flowers come out
And at that time all seems all right in life
Because the earth has so much beauty as flowers attest!

Always have a sense of humor

"I think if you come from a history of persecution you have to develop a sense of humor." -Sacha Baron Cohen

It's Sacha Baron Cohen (e.g. Borat, Bruno, and Ali G's) birthday today. I rather like this quote. I know that in some cases where I felt scared or threatened I felt better when I could laugh about it. As long as I can laugh at it, I know I can get through virtually anything and I find strength and comfort in that thought.  Life is just better with laughter in it and Sacha Baron Cohen has helped a lot of people to laugh over the years so I wish him the happiest (and funniest) of birthdays!

Over the Rainbow with a saxophone

It's the jazz musician Chris Botti's birthday and I thought this recording of him playing "Over the Rainbow" was really pretty. Plus I like rainbows and this song so all the more reason to share it!

The nice thing about each day is

"With a new day comes new strength and new thoughts."-Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt was born today in 1884. I like her quote above as it's a very comforting thought. I find that when things are hard I sometimes find it helpful to think that since I got through the day before, then the new day brings the possibility that there are better things to come. With that in mind I can face things and feel better. Then when things finally come right in the end (and somehow they do come right the way they should be) I can know that whatever happened before, I've faced it and am stronger for it. I think everyone has that strength, even if it's not always recognized. That's one of the things I like most about being human, we can go through so many things and still get up and carry on. I see so much strength in people and I admire people for their strength. People make me want to grow and be a better person. Each day, the idea that someone might read this makes me want to write something different (and better) than the day before. I hope each day that people feel stronger as well.  I hope that you face each day and can see the beauty that's in it. I hope each day brings you something happier than before and I wish you the very best!

Hooray for Malala

Malala Yousafzai has won the Nobel Peace Prize! She's overcome so much and even when people tried to stop her by force, it seems it's only made her stronger and more committed to her mission to ensure education is available to all. I think I like Malala most because of her mission as it is similar to that of my parents. My parents were once told that I might not be educable because part of my brain was damaged. My parents didn't stand for that and so they went on to ensure that I was educated and did well.I feel that my quality of life is better and I feel more empowered because I have been educated. I want to congratulate Malala because she's helping to ensure that girls and women are empowered and have a better quality of life as well. I'm so happy for her and I wish her every success!

Funny quote

"I've got a new invention. It's a revolving bowl for tired goldfish."-Lefty Gomez


This quote made me smile-it had to be shared!

Opportunities for kindness

"Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness."-Lucius Annaeus Seneca

I really think it's wonderful the kind things that people do for each other. Whether it's giving up a seat on the bus, opening the door for someone, or just smiling at someone. It makes me feel good to be human when I think of things like that. I figure that all we have in this life is each other and as long as people are willing to do nice things, however small, for each other, I believe there's a lot of hope for humanity. At the ver least, thinking about and doing those nice things makes me feel happiest!

Happy Birthday to Simon Cowell

It's Simon Cowell's birthday and I saw this video of him that I couldn't resist sharing because it's really sweet. I wish Mr. Cowell the happiest of birthdays.

Movie Soundtracks

The first movie with a soundtrack premiered today in 1927 in New York City. I rather like movie soundtracks especially ones that make me feel good. Here are a few.

The soundtrack from the movie Out of Africa-it sounds adventurous and yet beautiful all at once. Plus I like traveling and when I listen to it, it makes me feel like I'm off on an adventure!

 I like the soundtrack from the movie E.T. especially the song "Flying" because it makes me feels like I am in fact flying.

Finally, I also like the ending soundtrack to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. When I listen to it it makes me think of my home and family which is where I grew up very happily and where I always felt free because I love my family so much. Somehow, this song reminds me that they're always with me and that thought makes me happy!

So hooray for movie music!

To Do the Impossible

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." -Walt Disney

I like this quote (and Walt Disney because his movies make me feel good.) I now find myself thinking of how the things I once thought were impossible were only impossible to me until I made up my mind and went out and did them. In that sense, I've really come to believe that if I want to do something badly enough then it's not impossible.  I once thought it was impossible that I'd live out of my home state,  that I'd hug random strangers for fun, or that I'd get a master's degree. I've done all those things now and there's still more I want to do. The thing that immediately comes to mind when I think of something I couldn't possibly do now is skydiving! (Which of course means I have to do it one day!)

A lovely surprise wedding

I've heard of surprise parties but never surprise weddings-until this evening! My cousin invited my family to his engagement party which turned out to be an engagement party and a wedding in one-I don't know how they kept it secret but they managed it! It really was a lovely occasion. I think it showed just how spontaneous and fun this couple is. There certainly was a lot of laughter, music, and fun at the event. They even had an a Capella group sing! I think my cousin and his wife are off to a great start. I wish them many more years of much happiness, laughter, and most of all, love!

Gotta love Elvis

Elvis Presley first performed today in 1945 at age 10. I'm not sure what he sang in his first performance. However, I do like his song "Hound Dog" because it makes me feel like dancing. A little dancing makes a day brighter!

http://youtu.be/URayWTkEPYM

Happy Birthday to Sting

I rather like the singer named "Sting" and especially his song "Fragile." It somehow makes me feel at peace when I listen to it. Plus it reminds me that life is fragile and so I want to live life to the fullest!

Beauty

"Beauty is whatever gives joy." Edna St. Vincent Millay

In my life I've found  a great deal of joy and consequently a great deal of joy. I find that when I feel happiest everything really does seem brighter and more beautiful. I hope that everyone can find a lot of joy and beauty in life because life is beautiful and joy can be found in so many places-it's just a matter of finding it and enjoying it!