Happy Birthday to my brother!

Not only is it New Year's Eve but it is also my brother's birthday and this got me thinking about how I have a great brother.  Although there are a lot of reasons why I think he's great, here is my top 5:

• He's just fun to be around in general.
• He knows how to fix most if not all of the technology issues I face as I'm technology-challenged.
• He and I have inside jokes that are really funny but no one else understands.
• He gives great hugs.
• He's my brother and I love him.

I want to wish a very happy birthday to my brother and everyone who was born today. To everyone else, Happy New Year's Eve!

Early New Year's resolution...

"Never look backwards or you'll fall down the stairs." Rudyard Kipling

Although I do think it's nice to look back and remember things that are good, for the coming year I resolve to not look back and keep moving forward! (If only to prevent myself from falling down stairs!) After all, to quote another of my idols named Edna "I never look back darling, it distracts from the now!"

Seven Down

O crossword my crossword
Why can't I figure out 7 down?
The person who came up with these clues
 Really must be some sort of clown

I recently started doing said crossword
As someone told me it does one's brain some good
Well now my brain's exhausted
And I still haven't figured out 7 down!

Why is 7 down so important?
It's like that puzzle my family got one Christmas
We'd almost finished it only to find just one piece missing
I'm still slightly bitter about it now!

Ok back to seven down
The clue is "near the stern"
Well I'm feeling stern now
And I don't feel that close to figuring the dang clue out!

Oh my gosh, with the help of my lovely Mum I figured it out!
The right word is "aft"
All is marvelous, I've finished the puzzle
And this rather silly poem now!

You know you're a Michigander at heart when...

Now that I'm back in Michigan for a bit, it got me thinking about how I know I'm a Michigander at heart and so I came up with the following list. You know you're a Michigan lover when:

• Someone tells you they're going on vacation "Up North" and you know generally what they mean. 
• When people ask you where in Michigan you're from, you use your hand as a map to show them.
• Michigan v. Michigan State (or vice versa) sports games are serious matters to you. 
• Snow days are just part of a regular elementary/middle/high school fun experience for you.
• You don't consider the weather to be really cold until it reaches 0 degrees Fahrenheit (and if you're hardcore you're not cold until it's -5 out!)

Here's to Michigan and being a Michigander!

Fun at Hollow Mountain!

Today I went to Hollow Mountain Comics game shop in East Lansing, MI. I think what I liked most about that shop was the fact that the owner and some of his friends played board games with my sister, her boyfriend, and me. We played a a game called Mysterium and a word association game called Codenames. It was really fun. I've always rather liked board games because they're a way to meet people (and improve certain skills like memory and linguistics and how to lie well.) As long as there are people around you enjoying the game as much as you are, it's a nice way to spend a couple of hours. In this instance I believe a good time was had by all. At least, there was a lot of laughter involved! To find out more about the Hollow Mountain Comics click here.

How happy I am to see my happy dog

When I go home to Michigan

I get to see my family's dog Doogle

Who always seems so happy boo matter what

He's smart, energetic, and most of all, fun!

I like how he gets excited when someone visits

And how he's smart

He'll get his frisbee deliberately underneath a car in our driveway 

and bark until you get it out and once you get it out for him, you of course have to throw it

My family have always had dogs as pets

So I guess I love them because I grew up always having a dog

There's something nice about petting them

They really are great friends

Weeweechu a Merry Christmas!

• Just because Christmas is a day to laugh and be merry, here's a Christmas joke that I thought was really funny!
• One beautiful December evening Huan Cho and his girlfriend Jung Lee were sitting by the side of the ocean. There was a romantic full moon, and Huan Cho said, "Hey baby, let's play Weeweechu." 
  "Oh no, not now. Lets just look at the moon", said Jung Lee. 
  "Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I play Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Huan Cho Begged. 
  "But I had rather just hold your hand and watch the moon." 
  "Please Jung Lee, just once... play Weeweechu with me." 
  Jung Lee looked at Huan Chi and said, "OK, we'll play Weeweechu." 
  Huan Cho grabbed his guitar and they both sang... 
  "Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."

Happy Christmas everyone!

Things I love about Christmas

Because I love Christmas in general, Here are some things I love best about Christmas with my family.

• Using Christmas Crackers -they're a bit hard to explain but it's a UK tradition where two people pull open this stick-like object that holds presents. bad jokes on slips of paper, and of course paper hats. We all of course where the paper hats through Christmas dinner. 
• Singing Christmas carols badly-it's just more fun singing them out of tune for some reason. I think it's funny. 
• We listen to the Queen's of England's Christmas message-ok, we don't do it every year but it's a nice tradition when we do.
• Exchanging gifts- as always it's nice to give and receive.
• What I love most about Christmas is being home. It's lovely to see my family and be there on Christmas with them.

If you celebrate Christmas, I wish you a very happy Christmas Eve!

Caroling

The other day I went caroling with a group of people and we visited the house of an elderly lady who goes to my church and recently had major surgery. We sang a series of Christmas songs for her and it was lovely because she seemed so happy listening to us. It was really nice to see so directly how music can make people feel so happy. It really did feel like medicine because it was upliftting.  The woman we sang for couldn't stop smiling and I think everyone had a lot of fun. Overall it showed me another example of how music is best shared and has its own unique way of spreading joy and love. In that spirit, if you live in Boston and like basketball, I thought a clip of the Celtics singing Christmas carols to people in hospital. It did my spirit some good!

Things I learned from watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I just got back from seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens and I really enjoyed it. After watching it here are some things I learned:

• When in doubt, use a lightsaber.
• I'd like to have a robot like BB-8, I just think it's nice to have something loyal like that around for moral support.
• Having an ex-stormtrooper around can also be really helpful in times of need. 
• I really want to hug Chewbacca.
• I'd like to learn how to fly a spaceship like Han Solo and Rey.

May the Force be with everyone!

A Monday wish

This is jus a wish to say that I hope everyone had a lovely Monday and that your Tuesday is even better! Best wishes and much love to all!

I have Star Wars fever!

I always quite liked the Star Wars movies. I don't know why,  I guess there's a part of me that likes "campy" movies (whatever that means.) Anyway, I saw this "exclusive" clip on the Ellen show and thought it was necessary to share it as it made me laugh.  Enjoy and may the force be with you!

I want to have no regrets

The singer Edith Piaf was born today in 1915 and one of the song songs she sang was "Je Ne Regrette Rien" which I think roughly translates to "No Regrets." I saw this clip of an old woman named Janey Cutler singing this song on the TV show Britain's Got Talent.  I hope that when I get old and  I look back on my life, like Janey, I will have no regrets.

I always wanted to fly like E.T.

I love the movie E.T. the Extra Terrestrial. (For those who haven't seen it, it's about an alien who comes to earth and befriends a little boy while trying to find his way back to his planet.)  After watching ET as a kid:

• I really wanted to have a at least one ride on a bicycle that could fly. It just looked so wicked cool!
• I gained a new appreciation for Reece's Pieces, after all even aliens like it apparently.
• I liked how E.T. could heal any wound with one touch. Seeing it almost made me want to become a doctor (that is, until I realized I might have to cut into people.) 
• When I listen to music from that movie, even today, it helps me feel brave in times of need.
• I learned that I was really glad that I always had a home to go back to and call if I wanted.  There really is no place like home for me. So it was never a mystery to me why all E.T. wanted to do was call home. For me, home has always been the place to be!

flying tips courtesy of Ellen DeGeneres

As many people travel during the holidays Ellen DeGeneres has something people really need to help them travel in style and comfort.  If you know you're going to be flying in the middle seat on a plane and want to claim your armrest, see below for a tool that's essential to helping you keep your chair's armrest to yourself. It's called the Up in Arms sweater! With its help you can get your armrests back and you won't have to fight anyone for them! Why am I advertising this? Because it made me laugh and I wanna be the first to claim armrests on planes!

Dancing for no reason at all

Today (just because I want to and I can) I started dancing as I was waiting to cross a street. I was listening to Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk and I just can't help but dance when I listen to that song. Anyway, dancing like that made me feel good inside and out. I didn't think about anything and I just felt Happy!

Funny quote for the day

"An optimist is a fellow who believes a housefly is looking for a way to get out!"

George Jean Nathan

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes_of_the_day.html#5RcmrddRWbzSuxGd.99

As I like to think I'm an optimist, I will happily let any housefly out of my house!

On the Sunny Side of the Street

I heard this song the other day called "On the Sunny Side of the Street" sung by Kristina Train. It's from a movie "Jenny's Wedding." When I heard it I felt a sense of peace which was needed at the time. It really did make me feel sunny inside. I hope it has the same effect on others.

Christmas shopping!

Although I don't usually like shopping, I do enjoy it when I shop for other people. I like Christmas shopping, even if it's tiring. I like the idea that I'll be able to see someone happy when they open the gift. It's fun to pick out something I think will make someone feel good. To me it's a symbol of loving people. Not so much the consumerism aspect, but the idea that you're doing something for someone else and bringing happiness to someone else. So I love Christmas and the gift buying/giving because it's all about love (at least in my house and with my family.) I'm all about the love.

How to be great

Prosperity tries the fortunate, adversity the great. 
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes_of_the_day.html#cjBmlBqDBshqFuxU.99

If adversity tries you, I for one believe you'll come out stronger from facing it. I believe everyone haas the capacity to be great! I know you can do it! When things have been difficult in my life, even if I didn't feel strong when I was going through it,  I did feel great when I came out of the difficult time. I felt great because I knew that I could face things and that things do come out right in the end. Although I wish no one had to go through hard things, if you're going through a hard time, please know I'm rooting for you!

Cards Against Humanity

Yesterday I went to a party where everyone played a card game called Cards Against Humanity.  The basic idea is that there are main cards that have a statement on them and then each player has a certain amount of cards with funny words or phrases (ranging from "friction" to "assless chaps") on them that are used to make funny sentences. My favorite main card was "{insert word] brought about the end of the world." (which is of course where the assless chaps fit right in!)

Santa is special for special needs kids too

Santa is something that was always special in my childhood. So when I saw this story about a little boy who was able to have the experience of seeing Santa despite the fact that he had fallen asleep because of a seizure,  it meant that later on he could have that picture and hopefully know that he had that experience. I always believed having a disability shouldn't stop anyone from having fun and having good experiences. I'm glad this kid was able to be given this memory for the future. Here's to Santa!

To read more about the story click here.)

Photo from:
http://tinyurl.com/njv3kod

Love in the form of stuffed toy animals trumps hatred

I just read about an elderly woman who was bothered by presidential candidate Donald Trump's Islamophobic  statements and so she did something about it. She brought her doctor (who is a Muslim) a set of crocheted stuffed animals for him. She accompanied the gifts by saying that she felt for her doctor and what he was going through. The gift seems fitting since (at least to me) stuffed animals have always been all about love. They're typically given with love and are treated with love. (At the very least, they are something to hug when one feels the need.) So I'd say love trumps Donald Trump! (With the help of a few stuffed animals.)

To read more about the story click here.

Send a Christmas card and make a little girl's day!

If you're feeling a need to spread some good cheer, I just read a news article about a girl who would like to receive Christmas cards from all over the world to fill up a Christmas tree her aunt set up for her.  The child's name is Sa'fyre Terry. She was badly burned in a fire that killed her father along with her younger siblings.  If you have a moment and a holiday card available, please consider sending it to her.  According to the article I read, cards can be sent to:

Sa’fyre Terry
P.O. Box 6126
Schenectady, NY 12306

If you want to read more about Sa'fyre's story click here.

Being brave

One thing I love most about people is their capacity to be brave. I think that people can overcome more than they think and when they're tested they come out stronger.  If you're going through something difficult I send you this song in the hope that it helps you feel brave because I believe in you and I believe everyone is brave. 

Hallelujah event!

Today I went to an awesome Messiah concert at Trinity Church in Boston. I find a like opera-style music sometimes and the Messiah concert does make me feel uplifted. The soloists they had (along with the chorus) all sang beautifully. They put a lot of feel in what they sang. What I liked best about this particular concert was the Hallelujah chorus. Everyone got up and sang it together. I like how music unites people and it sounds just that much better when everyone joins in. An additional plus, was at the very end of the concert everyone sang Christmas carols which is something I also really like doing.  In a way I think a Hallelujah chorus with audience participation something you have to be there to experience, but to give you an idea of how cool an audience singing along can be, watch this video.  P.S. I'd like to congratulate my friend Amy Doherty for singing in the chorus, it really was great!

Just because Saturdays seem like nice days to dance

The singer  Little Richard was born today in 1932 and he sang this song called Tutti Frutti  which always makes me feel like dancing. Or, at the very least it makes me want to dance. I share it here with the hope that it helps others smile (and dance the night away too).

O Christmas Tree

Today they put up the Christmas tree in my apartment building and a group of other residents and I held a small party to decorate it, which was really fun. I always liked decorating things for holidays. This evening was especially nice because I like the people in my building and there was a lot of laughter involved. I think a good time was had by all. To end this post, I can't help thinking of the song O Christmas Tree from the Charlie Brown cartoon. I post it here along with the hope that everyone has very happy holidays.

Lovely moments

"The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it." -Richard Bach

Although I don't think happy lovely moments have to be paid for in any way, I do think they happen each day (examples: when people hold doors/complement on how nice people look/smile at someone/getting hugged/giving a hug.) In any case, one lovely moment that I can pinpoint that happened recently was when I went home for Thanksgiving. During the course of the weekend my Mum and I were watching a football game and I managed to  fall asleep on her shoulder. (Ok, I admit it was probably mostly because I don't really understand  American football.) Anyway, it was nice waking up and being hugged by my mum. I just think it's nice to feel so safe and loved. I hope everyone has the opportunity to have lovely moments or at the very least, to feel safe and loved. Life just seems better that way.

A holiday-type joke

As it's December I found this joke that reminded me of the holidays.  I hope your holidays are full of lots of laughter and happiness too1 (But minus the chess nuts boasting in open foyers!)

A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. ''But why?'' they asked, as they moved off. ''because,'' he said ''I can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer.''

Joke from: https://www.facebook.com/notes/joke-of-the-day/top-50-funniest-jokes-ever-told/589651657715055

Come rain or come shine

It's the singer Bette Midler's birthday and that got me thinking of a song I heard her sing called "Come Rain or Come Shine." I think the song is really pretty and to me it speaks of how real love is something that exists no matter what. I hope everyone has someone to love them come rain or come shine because being loved is the best way to be!

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!

Being scared can be funny

Ellen DeGeneres likes to scare people sometimes and I thought because it's Halloween I'd share this video-just because I thought it was funny. Happy Halloween everybody!

Climb every...wall!

I saw this clip today and thought it was really fun -this little girl learned to climb before she could walk-she really is going places!

Life is a great adventure

"Life is either a great adventure or nothing." -Helen Keller

I think every day in life brings the promise of adventure because I really believe that no one really knows exactly what every day will bring. That idea is what gets me up in the morning and somehow no matter what, I feel better when I think about it that way. So here's to every day and new adventures they bring!

Singing in the shower or bath

I always rather liked singing when I'm in the shower or the bath just because I think it's fun and I love singing in general. So when I saw the clip below it really made me smile. Plus, I think Julia Roberts is funny in general anyway! (And yes, Prince is the best!)

John Cleese and the art of annoying people hilariously

It's the actor/comedian John Cleese's birthday today and because I think he's really funny, I thought I'd share this clip-just because it made me laugh and it also made me rather glad he's not a pilot!

Swimming

I was able to go swimming yesterday, which is something I've always rather liked doing. I like the feeling of floating and having the ability to push through the water. I imagine it's like what being in space might be like. Although I'm glad I'm down on earth, a part of me wonders what it would be like to be in space and see the world from there. Maybe one day I'll see it. However, until then, I think I'll stick to swimming. I feel like it's a good way to get through life,  like the character Dory says, just keep swimming!

Hear everyone roar!

I always rather liked the phrase  "hear me roar!" I realize it's usually said in the context of women but I feel like everyone has cause to roar just because I believe

• Everyone is brave I figure we don't know how many things we can deal with until we're confronted with them and without fail, I've seen people come out of difficult things as much stronger people. 
• Everyone can be loud and proud. Everyone deserves to be proud of themselves for something. Whether it's some work they've done or situations they've faced. 
• Sometimes a good roar can be therapeutic!

Spread the love

The one thing we can never get enough of is love. And the one thing we never give enough is love. 

Henry Miller

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes_of_the_day.html#xLr339UhjR2pdCec.99

I feel like you really can never give out enough love and I think that's cool because if we have unlimited supplies of love, then all we can do is spread it! So I send everyone lots and lots of love! 

Ode to Fridays!

O my dear Friday
I'm so happy you're here!
Just for all the possibilities you bring
It really does make me want to sing!

I love Fridays ever so much
Because it's the start of the weekend
The start of more free time for me to do things
Just because I want to and I can!

I realize I can do most things any other old day
It just seems more fun when doing things on Fridays!
So here's to Fridays and the wonderfulness they bring
And for these reasons I think Fridays are lovely things!

Just a quick note for today

This note is just to wish everyone a happy Thursday! I hope it was a lovely one for you! :)

A tribute to my phone's Google Maps app

As I have no sense of direction, I rely on my phone's Google maps app for (probably far too many) directions. I realize it's come to a point where, at times when I don't know where I'm going (ok that's a frequent occurrence but I digress,) I can sometimes end up walking down random streets looking desperately at my phone to figure out where the little dot that represents me is on the Google Maps app actually is. I also frequently wonder if it is actually pointing the right way and why it's telling me to do a (il) legal u-turn. However, somehow I have always managed to get to my destination in one piece. Yes, it might have taken me longer than the 20 minutes that the Google Maps app said it should take and yes, I may not have ended up actually looking at street signs (instead choosing to focus solely on watching the dot that is me on the app). However, like I said, I still do get there in the end and that's what counts! So yes, my life is partially ruled by Google and I do love Google Maps as I literally don't know where I'd be without it!

Even cats protect little kids

I saw the sweetest video today of these cats protecting/playing with little kids. It made me feel good inside.

Penguins!

I'm posting this because penguins make me happy! (Don't care if it's juvinile!)

A really nice duet

I saw this clip of a duet that this man got to sing with his favorite musician. I just thought it was sweet. :)

Things to make doing laundry more exciting

I never liked doing laundry and as it's something that must be done regularly here are some things that might make doing laundry in a laundromat/in your house  more amusing.

• Dance like no one's watching to the beat of the washing machine. (I'd suggest playing Jump the Line (Shake Señora) by Harry Belafonte-it always makes me feel like dancing.)
• Sing-put some karaoke on and sing away-it's fun! 
• Watch a movie/TV show while folding.
• Think about new outfits you can put together with the clothes that are now clean.
• Feel a sense of accomplishment when everything is done and put away! :)

Daughters

It's the singer John Mayer's birthday and one song I really like that he sings is called "Daughters." To me it's really all about the need to be good to your kids and how kids can grow up to be good to each other and so the chain of goodness grows.  Plus the song is pretty!

Something I'd tell new parents...

I'm not (nor have I ever been) a parent. However, I feel like there are still some things I'd like to tell new parents, especially if they're about to have a child that has a disability. I'm posting it here because  I want people to know that every kid has a chance at a happy life, no matter what circumstances they face.

If I could say something to soon-to-be-parents who have been told their baby has a disability, I’d want to tell them that this isn’t a cause to lose hope. I know that it’s not easy to have a disability and it’s not always easy to watch someone grow up with a disability. However, in some ways I’m proud to have a disability because it’s helped influence me to work harder and I think I’m stronger for that. I also know that life can offer so much to people and that people have a lot of potential no matter what difficulties they might face. Plus, having a disability has helped give me the chance to meet a lot of really wonderful people that I now see as people who I care about . I hope everyone has a support system like that. 

I hope when people think about the future, the focus becomes more on what kids can do rather than what they may not be able to do. When I was born and doctors told my parents I had hydrocephalus and that among other things, I might not be educable, my parents refused to believe that and they pushed for me to be educated to the best of my ability. I have a master’s degree now. I hope every parent fights for their child like my parents fought for me to succeed. Even if things are difficult and frustrating I hope that kids never give up on learning either. I think one of the most empowering things to have is an education, whether it’s just about learning to communicate or all the way up to getting advanced degrees. Most of all, I hope people never completely lose sight of how good life can be and that they keep trying to work towards finding the good things life has to offer for them.

I hope people celebrate all the great things their kids can do because to me, every child has the capacity to do something good. The way I see things now, everyone faces difficulties in life in one way or another and yet, people find a way to get through them and to me that is a great thing. I think that ability to keep going is what I love most about humanity. I hope people can grow to see disability as a strength. It takes strength to get through things that are hard and I think people with disabilities (and their families) do have an abundance of strength that gets them through the day. After all, life is too good a thing to give up on.

Finally, I want close this post by saying that I’m forever grateful to my family and especially my parents for always believing that all things were possible for me (and helping me believe that too.) I don’t think I’d be where I am now if I hadn’t had their help. I love them so very much.

Why I always quite liked Wednesdays

Happy Wednesday everybody! I always liked Wednesdays because it's halfway through the week and I like things that are in the middle!

Hope your Wednesday was a lovely one! :)

A song for a Tuesday

Although I figure there should be a song for every day, I heard this song today and it was cheerful and had to share it, just because I believe everyone deserves to have someone to hold on to forever.

The best thing life has to offer...

"Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at something worth doing." -Teddy Roosevelt

I hope that everyone can find something in life that they love doing and that that something is rewarding to them. I feel happy that I've found something I love doing. Yes, it may not be easy sometimes but even when it's hard I like the challenge and I like seeing that I can meet the challenge and succeed in the end. Besides, if I've learned anything, I've learned that because I love what I do, I feel like I have more love to give out somehow. Life is too good not to do something you love while you have life.

Why I'm like a teabag!

First let me say that I love tea, as I've mentioned in a previous post. I guess it comes from the fact that my Mum is British and if we didn't have anything else in the house we always had tea.  Anyway, I saw this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt in which she said "A woman is like a tea bag, you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water." I really believe women are a lot stronger than they think and I really hope people never forget that.  I think life throws a lot of hot water at people and what I love so much about people is that they always find a way to get through it.  So here's to being a teabag!

Just because I thought this was funny!

Everyone deserves to feel like a winner sometimes. :)


An Antartian woman was in Vegas vacationing with friends. She stood in front of a candy machine and put two coins in, turned the knob and a candy bar fell out.
She picked up the candy bar and put it in her pocket, then she proceeded to put two more coins into the slot and turned the knob, again a candy bar fell out and she put it in her pocket.
She put two more coins into the machine and again turned the knob producing yet another candy bar.
A man was watching from a short distance away and walked up to her. He said, "Excuse me Miss? What are you doing?"
She said, "Duh! I'm winning here!"

Read more: http://www.ajokeaday.com/ChisteAlAzar.asp?#ixzz3oD2x375A

A funny song for a Friday

I found this song online and thought it was funny! Happy Friday everybody!

Everyone deserves to have someone to count on

It's the singer Bruno Mars' birthday today and I love this song that he sang called "Count On Me." I like the song because I believe everyone should have someone to turn to when they need it. In short, everyone should have someone they can count on!