Three Things That Make Me Really Happy

Lots of things make me really happy, but today I felt the urge to blog about three of them.

1) Squirrels

Back home, I used to sit and stare out of the window at two squirrels, which we named Bonnie and Clyde.  They ran, jumped and played throughout the trees nearly all day long.  It is so relaxing to watch the squirrels at play.  Sometimes they would chase each other, sometimes even tackling one another.  If you think about it, squirrels are some extraordinary little creatures.  Can you confidently jump from one tree to the next?  No, probably not and the next time you try, you should record it to submit to Ridiculousness.  But these little bitty creatures confidently jump from one tree to the next all day long!  I find that absolutely amazing.  Of course, squirrels aren't my 2nd favorite animals (dolphins are my favorite), because of their superb jumping skills.  I love them because they are so cute!

Look at that adorable little guy/gal.  Don't you just want to take it home and hold it forever?!?

Back in my hometown, you couldn't come within 10 feet of a squirrel before it took off running, but the squirrels here on campus are super friendly.  You can feed or pet some of them and a lot of them will walk across campus with you.  Anyhow, squirrels always make me really happy!

2) Rizzoli & Isles

If you haven't seen it, Rizzoli & Isles is about a homicide detective and medical examiner that work together to solve crimes.  Aside from being a crime show, it focuses on the ultimate example of friendship between Detective Jane Rizzoli and Dr. Maura Isles (and despite what some people say, they are just friends).  Jane is a complete bad ass and really sarcastic, while Maura (my hero) is a genius, who is always impeccably dressed and is at times is a little socially awkward.  I could add "be just like Maura" to the list of goals I mentioned in my first blog.  Anyway, their opposite personalities make them perfect best friends and partners and I watch the show almost religiously.  There aren't many emotional strains that I can't fix by watching a few episodes of Rizzoli & Isles.

3) I realize this is not a single thing, but one time my sister told me that her favorite thing about me is how easily little things make me happy- things most people wouldn't even notice.  I regard it to this day as the best compliment I have ever received and I take pride in what it meant to her and what it means to me.  The first two things I wrote about today are pretty general, but it's true- subtle little things, events, gestures, etc. make me enormously happy, sometimes these subtle little things make my entire day.

Anyway, have a blessed day!

#dormlifeisnotsobad

Today, Sara and I had the brilliant idea to bring the desk right outside of our room into our dorm and make a dining table.  Then being a good roommate, I dragged the table in and made us sandwiches (cracked pepper turkey, colby jack cheese, and salami- a divine combination).  It was the classiest dorm dinner college life has ever seen!

Before: Plain, boring desk

After: Sophisticated dining experience

Even though I got to sleep in this morning, it was a groggy one- as are most mornings for Sara and me. For some reason, we go to bed after 2:00 every night!  WTF are we thinking, I know.  It's not like we are doing anything important.  We are hardly ever up late studying; I would say maybe one out of ten nights are dedicated to studying or doing homework.  Usually we are just watching movies with our friends or going to Kerbey Lane at 1:00.  So, we have resolved to go to bed before 1:00 every night until we can comfortably go to sleep before midnight.  We also decided to limit our Kerbey Lane trips to one per week.  It's kind of outrageous how much money we spend at that place!

Later this evening after dinner, Sara and I painted piggy banks with our friends, Kristynn and Karen.  It took a little while for inspiration to come, so I initially began painting my pig a pastel purple.  I was a little embarrassed to be painting it so plainly (Kristynn painted hers like a grassy field with grass, the sky, clouds and flowers and you can see below how cute Sara's is).  Then when it was about one-third purple, I discovered that there was chalkboard paint, so I finished the purple coat and began painting it red (not chalkboard).  Then I added blue chalkboard polka dots, and my pig became cute and creative!  Now I can start saving my money.  Sara (follow her- saralovesowls.blogspot.com) is saving hers to buy something from imyourpresent on Etsy (double shoutout).  I think I'm going to save for... well I'm not sure yet :/

My Cute Piggy

Our piggies are besties

Our dorm hosts all kinds of events for residents to have fun and get to know each other.  Besides the huge windows in our rooms, it is one of my favorite aspects of our residence hall.  A few of the events include watching movies, decorating cookies/cupcakes, watch parties for award shows, and game nights.  I didn't get to attend, but one night there was a showing of The Parent Trap and everyone made smores and friendship bracelets.

Another great thing about our hall is the gym, which is mostly just a cardio room.  Despite the fact that I love to read, it often makes me sleepy.  For example, if I try to read at night before going to bed, I fall asleep after reading a max of two pages (pretty problematic considering I am aspiring to be a senior editor)!  There are two things that really help me to read more than a page or two: being outdoors and working out.  Even when I'm outdoors I get a little drowsy, but when I'm on the treadmill or stationary bike, I can read until my legs quit functioning.  So, this morning I ran a mile on the treadmill before class and this evening I walked three miles while reading for Expressive Culture.  And that's why our residence hall is the best on campus!

Gardening with Sara

I started a window garden with my roommate, Sara, tonight!  So, I'm already doing pretty well on my goals.  We planted thyme, cilantro, sage, parsley and basil in the most precious mason jars and tins.  All we lack is a few clothespin labels- then our window garden will be perfect.

As for my other goals:

I only allowed myself to think bad thoughts about one person, who was loudly talking to her friend on FaceTime in the study lounge.

I went to the grocery store and bought only healthy food.

I learned Kepler's Laws, or at least learned of them, and read some background info on Jonathan Swift.

I read "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift; however, I didn't particularly enjoy it and don't recommend it.

I explored a new pathway on campus, which I think I will take more often.

I did not do much towards becoming a successful publisher; but I did go to class, and going to class is the only way I can get a degree.


Goodnight, all!

P.S.  I would like to take a moment to brag on my wonderful roommate (follow her @ saralovesowls.blogspot.com) and my friends, Karen and Kristynn, because they are are absolutely amazing!!  I am so lucky to have found such great friends.

Hello!

I wanted to have a blog, so I made one.  This is going to be about my pursuit to be the "me" I want to be.  I want to..

-Be nice to everyone!

-Be healthy and environmentally conscious

-Know a little bit about everything

-Have a garden and a clothesline

-Read everything!

-Explore new places

-Be a successful publisher (in the future)

Those are some pretty big goals, so let's see how it goes!