Happiness Tip # 7:  Carpe diem.   Seriously, seize every opportunity.  On a smaller scale, this tip is exemplified in a simple eBay transaction I neglected to make last evening.  While perusing, I made a “Buy It Now” purchase for a gorgeous Diane von Furstenberg number in a lovely shade of peach and spent the rest of the evening in a rigorous debate over whether or not I really, truly needed the identical, light blue one.  Upon return from work this evening, I discovered the decision had already been made for me and that the item had already found new ownership.  Blergh. Expand on this idea and you will find a much deeper level of possibility sits keenly at your disposal.  Snatch up cheap plane tickets; Take that rare intern opp; Adopt the puppy you feel instantly connected with.  If you’re like me, these might very well be the best decisions you ever make.  I’ve decided the Universe simply doesn’t allow for such alignments to occur without reason. In less than a half hour, I’ll be twenty-four.  

Happiness Tip # 7:  Carpe diem.  

Seriously, seize every opportunity.  On a smaller scale, this tip is exemplified in a simple eBay transaction I neglected to make last evening.  While perusing, I made a “Buy It Now” purchase for a gorgeous Diane von Furstenberg number in a lovely shade of peach and spent the rest of the evening in a rigorous debate over whether or not I really, truly needed the identical, light blue one.  Upon return from work this evening, I discovered the decision had already been made for me and that the item had already found new ownership.  Blergh.

Expand on this idea and you will find a much deeper level of possibility sits keenly at your disposal.  Snatch up cheap plane tickets; Take that rare intern opp; Adopt the puppy you feel instantly connected with.  If you’re like me, these might very well be the best decisions you ever make.  I’ve decided the Universe simply doesn’t allow for such alignments to occur without reason.

In less than a half hour, I’ll be twenty-four.  

Awhile ago, a friend “borrowed me” for a photo shoot involving film grain.  I basically got to lurk round in way too much lipstick, giggling with the daintiest girls in the Inland Empire.  Months have passed and life paths have diverted but I’m pleased I got the opportunity to be a part of a fun project.   Happiness Tip # 6: Lend a hand (or a face, a shoulder, an extra set of muscles — whatever).   Short & sweet.  I’ve got more resting to do before I return to work tomorrow.

Awhile ago, a friend “borrowed me” for a photo shoot involving film grain.  I basically got to lurk round in way too much lipstick, giggling with the daintiest girls in the Inland Empire.  Months have passed and life paths have diverted but I’m pleased I got the opportunity to be a part of a fun project.  

Happiness Tip # 6: Lend a hand (or a face, a shoulder, an extra set of muscles — whatever).  

Short & sweet.  I’ve got more resting to do before I return to work tomorrow.

As fate (or my virtually non-existent immune system) would have it, I’ve been granted a whole day off via a fever of 100.3 and an awful sore throat.  A dark cloud has formed above me, reminiscent of the time my darling boy mistakenly gave me Advil PM instead of its regular, non-drowsy counterpart.  Fatigue aside, I’m trying to make the most of my precious free time.  A good snuggle over an afternoon-long House marathon may be just what the doctor ordered! Happiness Tip # 5:  Find the silver lining in any given situation. “While there are times that require you to be serious, when it is appropriate, find a way to make light of a situation that would otherwise make you unhappy.” - Lifehack Hen = $50

As fate (or my virtually non-existent immune system) would have it, I’ve been granted a whole day off via a fever of 100.3 and an awful sore throat.  A dark cloud has formed above me, reminiscent of the time my darling boy mistakenly gave me Advil PM instead of its regular, non-drowsy counterpart.  Fatigue aside, I’m trying to make the most of my precious free time.  A good snuggle over an afternoon-long House marathon may be just what the doctor ordered!

Happiness Tip # 5:  Find the silver lining in any given situation. “While there are times that require you to be serious, when it is appropriate, find a way to make light of a situation that would otherwise make you unhappy.” - Lifehack

Hen = $50

Happiness Tip # 4: ^ ^ ^ In contrast to how relaxed this weekend was, I sprung out of bed first thing this morning with my mind churning a million miles a moment.  Seriously, it’s as if there’s some sort of intrinsic “go” button that’s automatically activated every morning. I’ve decided to channel this momentum to the best of my ability.  I need fuel to tackle this mounting pile of tasks I’ve yet to complete.  I’m ever the organizer but lately my life has been one giant snowball-turned-avalanche.  I’m certain that the best way to find happiness is by facing the path to it head-on. I refuse to go another day without moving forward, onward toward the happy life I want and away from the clutter that is my current existence.  This is not to indicate I’m entirely unhappy at present.  I’m simply objective enough to realize that each journey must begin with a single step (as disgustingly cliché as it sounds). I’m struck by how this tiny notion could somehow transform my entire perspective.  Money-wise, I’ve vowed to develop the perfect budget.  I will learn to (a) live within my means or, more preferably, (b) learn to match my means to my living. Honestly, this whole “gap year” thing is meant for working (read: hanging with the cutest little kiddos on the planet) and figuring out graduate school.  So, working seven days a week is perhaps only surging me forward towards meeting that goal. Today was incredibly stressful for a variety of reasons, largely worsened by extreme exhaustion (and the daunting possibility that I may be falling ill — again), and a colorful variety of other issues seem to plague me, and often.  Slowly, though, I’m realizing that if perhaps these issues are all symptomatic of adulthood (and thus here to stay), I might need to change my attitude in order to make it out in one piece.
  • Happiness Tip # 4: ^ ^ ^

In contrast to how relaxed this weekend was, I sprung out of bed first thing this morning with my mind churning a million miles a moment.  Seriously, it’s as if there’s some sort of intrinsic “go” button that’s automatically activated every morning.

I’ve decided to channel this momentum to the best of my ability.  I need fuel to tackle this mounting pile of tasks I’ve yet to complete.  I’m ever the organizer but lately my life has been one giant snowball-turned-avalanche.  I’m certain that the best way to find happiness is by facing the path to it head-on. I refuse to go another day without moving forward, onward toward the happy life I want and away from the clutter that is my current existence.  This is not to indicate I’m entirely unhappy at present.  I’m simply objective enough to realize that each journey must begin with a single step (as disgustingly cliché as it sounds).

I’m struck by how this tiny notion could somehow transform my entire perspective.  Money-wise, I’ve vowed to develop the perfect budget.  I will learn to (a) live within my means or, more preferably, (b) learn to match my means to my living. Honestly, this whole “gap year” thing is meant for working (read: hanging with the cutest little kiddos on the planet) and figuring out graduate school.  So, working seven days a week is perhaps only surging me forward towards meeting that goal.

Today was incredibly stressful for a variety of reasons, largely worsened by extreme exhaustion (and the daunting possibility that I may be falling ill — again), and a colorful variety of other issues seem to plague me, and often.  Slowly, though, I’m realizing that if perhaps these issues are all symptomatic of adulthood (and thus here to stay), I might need to change my attitude in order to make it out in one piece.

This weekend was exactly what I needed.  In contrast to most weeks, I was blessed with a whole day off work and was able to spend it with the lovely in-laws.  Truth be told, I’m becoming burnt out only a couple months in.  Sure, my ambition will never expire, but it definitely wanes thin at times when I feel like everything’s moving too quickly for me to ever quite catch up.  Still, having an entire 24 hours to spend with positive, motivated, forward-thinking people like myself has already done wonders to lift my moods.  Tomorrow is Monday: the start of a fresh new week and a brand new opportunity to chase my dreams, or at least to chase the 8 cutest pre-schoolers on the planet. Happiness Tip # 3:  Think in Positives.  

This weekend was exactly what I needed.  In contrast to most weeks, I was blessed with a whole day off work and was able to spend it with the lovely in-laws.  Truth be told, I’m becoming burnt out only a couple months in.  Sure, my ambition will never expire, but it definitely wanes thin at times when I feel like everything’s moving too quickly for me to ever quite catch up.  Still, having an entire 24 hours to spend with positive, motivated, forward-thinking people like myself has already done wonders to lift my moods.  Tomorrow is Monday: the start of a fresh new week and a brand new opportunity to chase my dreams, or at least to chase the 8 cutest pre-schoolers on the planet.

Happiness Tip # 3:  Think in Positives.  

Other People’s Happiness (A Review): So, I’d never solely base my happiness upon another person’s, but it’s a somewhat curious habit of mine to at least imagine a walk in another’s shoes.  Let’s be honest:  most of us are guilty of the same thing in some form at some point in our lives.  In love, we want the stability and romance enjoyed by our coupled friend while we envy the career or financial security of another.  No matter what our walk of life, we’re all ill of it - the grass always seems greener on the other side (or at least we’re caught up wondering if it is.) In between work, more work, and the smidgen of down-time I’m allotted weekly, I devour unhealthy amounts of literary material of varying sorts.  This month’s edition of Psychologies offers an insightful profiling of Ariel Leve, an esteemed writer who has built her career upon her fundamentally pessimistic outlook on life.   While I do not wish to restate the article here in its entirety, I was struck by one point discussed toward its conclusion.  Here goes Happiness Tip # 2: ”Bad habits have been learned and can be adjusted, but lasting contentment is a process, and figuring out what makes me happy is an ongoing journey.”  

  • Other People’s Happiness (A Review):

So, I’d never solely base my happiness upon another person’s, but it’s a somewhat curious habit of mine to at least imagine a walk in another’s shoes.  Let’s be honest:  most of us are guilty of the same thing in some form at some point in our lives.  In love, we want the stability and romance enjoyed by our coupled friend while we envy the career or financial security of another.  No matter what our walk of life, we’re all ill of it - the grass always seems greener on the other side (or at least we’re caught up wondering if it is.)

In between work, more work, and the smidgen of down-time I’m allotted weekly, I devour unhealthy amounts of literary material of varying sorts.  This month’s edition of Psychologies offers an insightful profiling of Ariel Leve, an esteemed writer who has built her career upon her fundamentally pessimistic outlook on life.  

While I do not wish to restate the article here in its entirety, I was struck by one point discussed toward its conclusion.  Here goes Happiness Tip # 2: ”Bad habits have been learned and can be adjusted, but lasting contentment is a process, and figuring out what makes me happy is an ongoing journey.”  

  • The Lone Rant

Forgive me being blunt, but there are times I feel so inexplicably, uncomfortably angry upon meeting/coming into contact with people who are so obviously incompetent at things.  I know, I know.  This blog is supposed to boast of happy things.  But for my own sanity, I must be truthful.  Finding a job is hard — even for college grads.  I’m thankful for the employment I have and work hard — seven days a week, in fact — to make ends meet.  So, why is it that so many uneducated, poorly-spoken, immoral people are walking round with so much more ease than I?  I know life’s not supposed to be fair, but I can’t help but feel slighted by the gods that be.  Could it be that I’m already jaded, only a month post-grad?  Uh oh.

Hen = $26

So, the reality of my life as of late is that I simply do not have the time for anything even remotely resembling socialization.  I work seven days a week and spend every spare moment I have either sleeping, walking the dog, or maintaining romance with my beloved.  Fortunately, I found a small window of opportunity (read: one whole hour) to dedicate to a very important friendship.   Introducing, Happiness Tip # 1:  Always remember:  No man is an island.  Never, ever, take for granted the people in your life who make it worth living.   I’d like to plug The Curious Palate, for making such a reunion palpable. AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING — worth every pretty penny!  Best homemade yogurts, ice creams, everything, ever!  Speaking of change (*pun intended, hehe), I’ve already felt an enhanced sense of tolerance for life’s little mishaps.  For example:  my already rushed lunch break was further burdened by the sheer lack of parking Venice often has to offer.  The few spots in front of the café were taken except for one, positioned front and center in front of TCP, as the accompanying meter beside it was covered by a black plastic bag.  Parking way yonder from the eatery (sacrificing precious minutes), I finally approached the front door only to find an orange Ford pick-up, circa 1960-something, roaring up to the vacant spot.  The driver, a weathered Hispanic man, hopped out of the driver’s side, walked  around to the curb, and yanked off the plastic covering the meter.  Stuffing it haphazardly into the bed of his truck, he mosied on down the street without a single look around. This selfish, very obviously premeditated behavior would normally put a frustrated damper on things, but not today!   Excuse my being rude (brief), but loads of long overdue thank you letters are beckoning to me at this moment.  Until tomorrow, J.A. P.S. Currently, Hen = $25.91

So, the reality of my life as of late is that I simply do not have the time for anything even remotely resembling socialization.  I work seven days a week and spend every spare moment I have either sleeping, walking the dog, or maintaining romance with my beloved. 

Fortunately, I found a small window of opportunity (read: one whole hour) to dedicate to a very important friendship.  

Introducing, Happiness Tip # 1:  Always remember:  No man is an island.  Never, ever, take for granted the people in your life who make it worth living.  

I’d like to plug The Curious Palate, for making such a reunion palpable. AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING — worth every pretty penny!  Best homemade yogurts, ice creams, everything, ever!  Speaking of change (*pun intended, hehe), I’ve already felt an enhanced sense of tolerance for life’s little mishaps.  For example:  my already rushed lunch break was further burdened by the sheer lack of parking Venice often has to offer.  The few spots in front of the café were taken except for one, positioned front and center in front of TCP, as the accompanying meter beside it was covered by a black plastic bag.  Parking way yonder from the eatery (sacrificing precious minutes), I finally approached the front door only to find an orange Ford pick-up, circa 1960-something, roaring up to the vacant spot.  The driver, a weathered Hispanic man, hopped out of the driver’s side, walked  around to the curb, and yanked off the plastic covering the meter.  Stuffing it haphazardly into the bed of his truck, he mosied on down the street without a single look around. This selfish, very obviously premeditated behavior would normally put a frustrated damper on things, but not today!  

Excuse my being rude (brief), but loads of long overdue thank you letters are beckoning to me at this moment. 

Until tomorrow,

J.A.

P.S. Currently, Hen = $25.91

 Project:   I’ll be honest.  Sometimes I lose myself in plotting for London, graduate school, and the future that I plum forget to take hold of the present.  As cliché as it sounds, I’m making a vow (to myself? to you?) to try* (try!) being OK with letting the future take the back burner to the present for awhile.  Recently, someone very close to me asked me if I’m truly happy.  My immediate reaction was to burst, “But of course!”  However, a more careful examination might beg to differ.  I’m incredibly lucky in many aspects but, truth be told, there are things I’d kill to correct in my life.   Effective immediately, I’m thrusting myself forward with a keen eye on my own well-being.  Perhaps I’ve been so fixated on what I’ll become as the key to my happiness.  Perhaps concentrating on the present - what can/does make me happy right now - will allow for a more blissful transition from here to then.   As a little experiment, I’ll be conducting my own version of The Happiness Project by considering one new “tip” to bliss each day.  It occurred to me that the world has been around a lot longer than my (almost) 24 years and perhaps it could teach me a thing or two about how to live.   In the days, weeks, and months to come, the intention of this blog shall be to map my execution of this undertaking: from start to completion (read: hopeful elation).  In addition, in order to appease my inner planner, I’ll be keeping close track of the “fattening up” process my London Hen is currently undertaking.  The savings accumulated will be largely responsible for funding any type of fun I intend to have while staying abroad.  To date, the Hen’s balance is at a humble $20. [“There’s a lot to be done while your head is still young.” - Belle & Sebastian] It happens all the time.  Curiosities become obsessions.  Outings become overnighters.  Pastimes become passions.  This is how journeys begin.  (Welcome to the beginning.) Yours, J.A.
  •  Project:  

I’ll be honest.  Sometimes I lose myself in plotting for London, graduate school, and the future that I plum forget to take hold of the present.  As cliché as it sounds, I’m making a vow (to myself? to you?) to try* (try!) being OK with letting the future take the back burner to the present for awhile.  Recently, someone very close to me asked me if I’m truly happy.  My immediate reaction was to burst, “But of course!”  However, a more careful examination might beg to differ.  I’m incredibly lucky in many aspects but, truth be told, there are things I’d kill to correct in my life.  

Effective immediately, I’m thrusting myself forward with a keen eye on my own well-being.  Perhaps I’ve been so fixated on what I’ll become as the key to my happiness.  Perhaps concentrating on the present - what can/does make me happy right now - will allow for a more blissful transition from here to then.  

As a little experiment, I’ll be conducting my own version of The Happiness Project by considering one new “tip” to bliss each day.  It occurred to me that the world has been around a lot longer than my (almost) 24 years and perhaps it could teach me a thing or two about how to live.  

In the days, weeks, and months to come, the intention of this blog shall be to map my execution of this undertaking: from start to completion (read: hopeful elation).  In addition, in order to appease my inner planner, I’ll be keeping close track of the “fattening up” process my London Hen is currently undertaking.  The savings accumulated will be largely responsible for funding any type of fun I intend to have while staying abroad.  To date, the Hen’s balance is at a humble $20.

[“There’s a lot to be done while your head is still young.” - Belle & Sebastian]

It happens all the time.  Curiosities become obsessions.  Outings become overnighters.  Pastimes become passions.  This is how journeys begin.  (Welcome to the beginning.)


Yours,

J.A.

Friday, thank God. 

  • Friday, thank God.