A lovely trip to Copenhagen!

I got back yesterday from a  trip to Copenhagen with my parents and sister to see my brother who lives there. We travelled all over Copenhagen and saw Nyhavn which is a waterfront canal and we went to see the Tivoli gardens, the outside of the Amalienborg Palace (where the Danish royal family lives) and of course, the statue of the Little Mermaid (as Hans Christian Andersen who wrote the Little Mermaid was born in Denmark,) My favorite thing we saw in Denmark was the Kronborg castle which just outside of Copenhagen and where Shakespeare's play Hamlet is set. It's one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe It's really beautiful as it has all these paintings and tapestries which were lovely to see as I love history and art.  It was also nice to celebrate my brother's birthday a little early as it's actually today.  Anyway, it was a lovely trip and I'm glad I got the chance to go to Denmark. To all who read this, if you ever have a chance, I hope that you visit Denmark!

Me in front of Kronborg Castle

In front of the Little Mermaid statue

My brother, father and sister inside Kronborg

Off to Denmark!

I’m going to be taking a short break from posting on this blog as I’ll be traveling to Copenhagen for the holidays! I’ll write again on the 30th! I wish everyone who reads this a very happy holiday season!

It's a Wonderful Life

The movie it's a Wonderful Life premiered today in 1946. I really like that movie because it's all about expressing how much people's lives matter in the scheme of things.  The movie shows how much one person can positively impact the lives of so many other people.  There's a line in the movie that says "No man is a failure who has friends" which I think is so lovely because as this movie also shows, friends make all the difference in life. My favorite part in the movie is the ending because it's happy and everyone sings and it just feels good to see it. Wherever you are reading this, I wish you a very happy Thursday and an even happier Friday!

To regret nothing

The singer Edith Piaf was born today in 1915 and one of her most famous songs is called "Non je ne regrette rien" In English it means roughly "I regret nothing." I like the idea of regretting nothing and just choosing to live in the present. To live by that philosophy is something I'm working towards. After all, the past is the past and can't be undone, so why regret things? There's a lot of happiness to be found in living in the present and refusing to let the past hold you back. Wherever you are reading this I hope you have no regrets and I wish you the very best.

Fun science experiments!

I don't know if I could try these experiments at home but I saw this man showcasing some of the science experiments he does to get kids excited about science. I thought I'd share the clip here because it's really cool. (Since I'm in no way scientifically inclined, the fact that I enjoyed watching this clip says a lot.) Anyway, I hope your day was scientifically awesome!

Happiness as a present

"Happiness isn't something that you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present"- Jim Rohn

In the spirit of making a happiness a "present" for yourself, I hope that you find something happy in each day. To that end,  I wish you the happiest of days and an even happier tomorrow!

Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present. Jim Rohn
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/jim_rohn_147498

Work and fun

"Work is much more fun than fun." -Noel Coward

Work can be a lot of fun. I figure as long as I can fine something fun in the work I do each day then things are going well. I hope that wherever you are reading this and whatever work you do, that you can always find the fun in doing it.  I wish you the very best and a very happy Sunday!

Work is much more fun than fun. Noel Coward
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/noel_coward

Work is much more fun than fun. Noel Coward
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/noel_coward

A fun evening seeing Christmas lights

This evening I had the opportunity to go with a really nice group of people to see the Christmas lights that have been set up in Boston. I always like seeing Christmas lights and Christmas trees as they always make me feel happier. This particular trip was especially nice because I was able to go with some friends to see the lights. The event was organized by the Epilepsy Foundation New England and I always have a lot of fun at their events as they give me an opportunity to see friends that I don't always get to see regularly. Anyway, in terms of Christmas lights this evening I really liked seeing the lights on the Christmas tree that's given to Boston each year by the people of Nova Scotia. In 1917 there was  a terrible explosion in Halifax and Boston sent aid to Nova Scotia and as a thank you, ever since that event Nova Scotia sends Boston a Christmas tree. I like the story because it shows how good people can be to each other, even if they've never personally met each other.  Holidays to me are all about being kind to people and this Christmas tree exemplifies that and that's why I like it best!

In a Flash!

I've started watching this show called the Flash. The show has been around for a while I'm just slow in getting into it. It's about a man that has a super power ability to run at incredible speeds and do things that save people from harm. Watching it makes me think of how cool it would be to be able to zoom around everywhere. I also wouldn't mind being able to keep people out of danger. For now though, I'm glad that I can love people because I feel like doing that saves a part of myself. Love is the best thing I can do for myself because it makes me feel happy, it motivates me to help others and keeps me positive. Love is the best super power.

The Nicest Word

"Home is the nicest word there is."-Laura Ingalls Wlider

Home has always been the nicest place for me. To me, home is where my friends and  family are. I also like this quote because it was something that Laura Ingells Wilder said and I always liked her books as a child.  I tend to feel more at home when I'm reading something no matter where I am.  I hope that wherever you are reading this, that you are in a place where you feel most at home.

Stay Young At Heart

The singer Frank Sinatra was born today in 1915 One of the song he’s famous for singing is called “Young at Heart.” I like the song mainly because it’s all about not taking life too seriously and just enjoy things. Plus, I like to think that adults are just young people that have been around for a while. So I say, stay young at heart and enjoy the ride!

A silly joke

Just because I'm in a silly mood and I think dogs are generally awesome I thought I'd share the joke below as it made me laugh. I wish a happy Tuesday to everyone!

A dog went to a telegram office, took out a blank form and wrote: "Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof." The clerk examined the paper and politely told the dog, "There are only nine words here. You could send another 'Woof' for the same price." The dog replied, "but that would make no sense at all!"

Joke source: http://www.funny2.com/funniest.htm

A fun scientific fact

I saw this little tidbit of information today on Facebook and thought it was worth a share.

Scientifically a raven has 17 primary wing feathers and the big feathers at the end of these birds' wings are called pinion feathers. In contrast, a crow only has 16 pinion feathers so the difference between a crow and a raven is simply a matter of a pinion!

For more silly puns follow this link.

A Sunday morning song

Although I realize it's not Sunday morning now, I did have "Sunday Morning," a song by Maroon 5 stuck in my head today. I really like the song because it gives me a lot of peace and Sunday feels like a good day for feeling at peace.  No matter if Sunday is a sacred day for you, I still wish the happiest of days to all who read this.

Have fun like a kid

Today I was able to go and meet up with a friend and her kids and have dinner at their place. My friend's children are very young and it was so nice to see them and my friend as I haven't had a chance to do that in a while. What I like about young kids is that as long as you're willing to play games and hang out with them they are so accepting. It doesn't matter who you are or what you look like, to them you're someone they want to get to know.  Plus, although I like hearing people laugh in general,  somehow children laughing does my heart a lot of good. There's just something nice about it, hearing it always gives me hope that the future of our world can be bright. In the spirit of being a kid (because kids tend to make a lot of wishes)  I wish everyone much love now and always.

A fun night at the museum

This evening I went to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston to meet with an Art lover's Meetup group to their First Friday events where they have food and music and dancing. I had a lovely time because the people I met in the Meetup group were kind and really interesting. It's always nice to get to know people and learn about the things they like and the things they do that make them happiest.  Plus, I always love music and dancing because both of those things feel so good.  When I'm dancing I don't really care about anything else and I just enjoy the feeling.  Finally, I liked this event because I really like art. The place where the group I was with met to talk was this huge room in what I think is the back of the museum. When I went in I marveled at this giant plant that was in there. I later found out that the "plant" was actually a sculpture made out of pieces of glass. It looked so real and lifelike, it was a sight to see. If you're in Boston and have the opportunity to go to the MFA on the first Friday of a month, I hope you go and have some fun!

Gifts I'd give

As it's a season of holidays it got me thinking of some of the more fun things that (if I had unlimited resources and abilities) would give to everyone. 

• I'd give everyone at least one reason to laugh happily each day, just because it feels so good.
• I'd ensure that everyone has music in their lives because music is one of the best things there is. 
• I'd ensure that everyone has someone to love and be loved by because love is the best gift everyone can give.
• I'd figure out something fun that everyone really likes to do and give them opportunities to do it, because life is fun!
• I'd ensure that everyone can read and that they have many books to read because with a good book, anyone can go anywhere they want. 
• I would say that I'd give everyone a toy Minion as well but I somehow don't think everyone shares my strongly positive feelings towards Minions. 

Anyway, as I currently lack the time resources to provide everyone with all these things I'll simply send best wishes and much love to everyone who reads this. 

Singing to help healing

Yesterday I went with the Harbor Light Show Chorus that I'm part of went to sing Christmas carols for people living at a residential drug treatment center. We've sung for these individuals for a number of years at Christmas and it's a lot of fun. I like seeing how happy they seem to be when they hear the music. It shows me how music can take people out of their situations and bring them happiness. If I could spread music absolutely everywhere I would as long as it would bring as much happiness with it. In any case, I wish everyone who reads this every happiness.

On Learning Danish

One Part of My Brain: Ok, I want to challenge myself.

Another Part of My Brain: Just learning Danish slowly isn't challenging enough by itself?

One Part of My Brain: No, of course not!

Another Part of Maggie's Brain: I think learning how to say "Hello" "Goodbye" "please" "thank you" "Do you speak English?" "Help, I'm lost" would be a start.

One Part of My Brain: "Godmorgan, goddag, godafen (good morning, good day, good evening" ver saw venlee (please) tak (thanks) Manya tak (many thanks) Tailor doo eng'glsk (do you speak English?) Yelp, Ya'ee air far'red veel (help, I'm lost).

Another Part of My Brain: Well, it's a start.

One Part of My Brain: Oooh, I have an idea! Let's try turning our phone's language to Danish and see if that's helpful.

Another Part of My Brain: Let's not do that and just pretend we did.

One Part of My Brain: Oh fun spunge, where's your sense of adventure?

Another Part of Maggie's Brain: Still trying to master how to say "help, I"m lost"

One Part of Maggie's Brain: While you're busy doing that I'm just going to go ahead and fiddle with the phone for a bit.

Another Part of My Brain: Oh please don't.

One Part of My brain: Too late! Now the phone's language is set to "Danske"! It's so exciting!

[After fiddling around with the phone for a few minutes]

One Part of Maggie's Brain: MUST CHANGE LANGUAGE BACK TO ENGLISH! ABORT MISSION! ABORT MISSION!

Another Part of My Brain: Told you this would happen!

One Part of My Brain: Oh phoey on you, help me change the language back.

Another Part of My Brain: Just search for "English" in the search box thingy.

One Part of My Brain: Ah saved! Back to English now. Well, that was worth a try anyway.

Another Part Of Maggie's Brain: Cheer up, here's a website that is all about learning Danish and it has a Minion on it. (https://www.kbh-sprogcenter.dk/en/blog/hello-and-goodbye-in-danish/)

One Part of Maggie's Brain: Minions speak Danish! OMG, OMG, OMG!

My quest to learn Danish continues slowly but I am really super excited to be going to Denmark in 2 weeks with my family

No matter how you feel....

No matter how you feel each day I hope you always choose to get up (because there's always something to do), dress up (because looking nice feels good) and show up (because there's always a place to be!). Most of all I hope that you never give up! I'm rooting for you!

Music is for everyone

I saw this clip of an Irish choir that was competing on the Ireland's Got Talent variety competition earlier this year. What I liked best about this choir called DeafTones Choir was that the singing group was made up of some singers who could hear and others who were deaf or hard of hearing. The people who were deaf used sign language to describe the song's lyrics and the whole effect was really beautiful. I liked their performance because it shows how music can be for everyone and it's something that everyone can enjoy even if it's just by feeling its vibrations.  To learn more about the DeafTones Choir visit them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DeafTones2016/) and watch the clip below!

Profanity

The other day I was with a friend and she started laughing because I'd said "shit." She said she thought it was funny when I swore and then I started laughing and forgot what I was bothered about. I rather like using profanity although I don't do it a lot. When I do say something especially profane I'm glad it makes people laugh because as that helps me to laugh and then I don't think so much about why I was upset in the first place. I think people use profanity when other "more polite" words don't really express what they're feeling. Even if such words can sound harsh, a part of me wishes people would just use these words to express anger or frustration rather than hurting other people. But as things stand, as long as I can make people laugh by saying words that are impolite I fully intend to swear whenever the f*** I feel the need to.