we'll make great pets

kill 'em with kindness

neither rain nor sleet

whistle while you work

1) if you can't figure out a reason to smile, here are ten: smiling makes you attractive, is contagious, changes our mood, relieves stress, builds your immune system, lowers your blood pressure, releases endorphins, lifts the face thus making you look younger, makes you seems successful, and helps you stay positive.
2) i came across this cute cartoon while i was stumbling. it's been a while since i've missed someone like this. i guess that qualifies as a happy thought.
3) kimya dawson sings a few songs on the juno soundtrack. i was listening to tire swing today. her soothing voice, lighthearted lyrics and playful whistling makes this song one of my favorites. i especially love the line: if i'm a spinster for the rest of my life my arms will keep me warm on cold and lonely nights
4) besides the amazing photography of this picture, it makes me smile because it reminds me of a childhood memory with my brother. for some reason, he had this urge to throw a gallon of milk at me to "catch". it, of course, fell straight on the carpet. the smell of spoiled milk lingered for months, but the reminiscence lives on for years!
5) wilhelm staehle created these postcards for his silhouette masterpiece theatre. this one makes me laugh.
6) my hair is getting longer than i usually let it get. this picture of nicole richie is my next inspiration.
7) i've been working with cynthia on cases since august now. officially, she's in her late 50s but with her energy, charisma and creativity, you would think she was fresh out of college. our job isn't easy...we dedicate so much of our time in training new staff who more than likely don't end up sticking around. her enthusiasm is contagious. not only do i enjoy working with her, but she has provided me with such wisdom in dealing with life in general.
8) there's something about circles and jewelry that always catches my eye. circles represent eternal totality as well as the feminine spirit. still trying to figure out how that relates to me.
9) i found this popping edamame keychain on thinkgeek.com. the pod contains three beans. the middle bean has 12 random faces that display whenever you squeeze the bean.
10) i didn't complain so much about my job when it was more about the kids and not so much the everyday dealings with administrators and parents. there are days when my job frustrates me but when you're living in a world where companies are laying off hundreds at a time, a steady job is definitely something to be happy about.

up and running

baby love

twinkle, twinkle

blessings

our company received authorization to perform an assessment for a family who has three children with mental retardation and congenital muscular dystrophy. another coordinator and myself sat down with the mother for two and a half hours this afternoon for our initial interview. this amazing woman had nothing but life and hope in her eyes and voice. hearing all the idiosyncrasies about each individual child was heart warming. she gets on the topic of a few recent misfortunes involving some of her close friends - their home burning down, a close friend passing away and leaving two young children behind - and she talks about blessings...and how fortunate her life is. you hear about putting things in perspective all the time, but hearing this incredible mother speak really put everything into its correct place.

fight on!!!

31 years old and still a daddy's girl

presidents and gentlemen

the blogger gods heard my rant from last night! i was at the very same starbucks at approximately the same time as yesterday. i was looking for a place to work before my last session. my hands were full with my students' binders, my laptop bag was falling off my shoulder, and i was holding a cup of coffee while trying to sit down at a table. a man at the table in front of me got up, took my coffee to place it on the table, then did the same with the binders. we had a lovely conversation about what i do for a living and how his cousin has autism as well. then we both went back to working. well-mannered men are still out there, and i am thankful for that.

congratulations, president obama. congratulations, america.

"courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage."
-theodore roosevelt

angry

i know that this blog was meant to focus on the positive moments that occur during my day. i have an exception today, and it's worth mentioning because it bothered me so much. i was sitting in starbucks on a drizzly, gloomy afternoon. the coffeehouse was packed with people trying to warm up with a cup of joe. this lady ordered over 6 hot beverages, carrying a double stack of drink carriers. she was obviously struggling while approaching the door, and what does the man in front of her do? he steps to the side. doesn't even think about opening the door for her...ass!

then later that evening, i took out a large bag of trash, and a full grocery bag of cans and bottles to be recycled. a few bottles fall on the ground as i walk out. there's a man talking on the phone in the parking lot, with a clear view and earshot of my clumsiness. i walk closer to the lot, with my hands full, needing to pull the door open to get to the lot where the trash chute is located, and what does this man do? he steps even further away from the door, and as i walk towards the trash chute, he exits from the very door i entered...ass!

my happy thought is to appreciate the true gentlemen out there. the small handful that there are!

beer, beer, beer...oh yeah, and boarding!

ry got us tickets to the sf ski and snowboard expo. it also happened to be a beer tasting event as well. we thought we'd be able to find some good deals, but the prices and the crowded lines weren't really worth it. we did get to sample quite a few beers and got two free lift tickets!

working like a dog

little miss sunshine

1) the first week of october, 16 days into fall, and the sun was shining today! that has to be one of the top reasons people move out to california!
2) james sent this picture of pey today. she's about 8 months now...i spent most of the weekend with her, and she still occupies a lot of my thoughts! this picture is hilarious though. it captures a lot of this girl's character.
3) world smile day celebrates the ever popular yellow smiley. it also offers us an opportunity to do an act of kindness. the intent of world smile day is to do an act of kindness, or help one person to smile. harvey ball, a commercial artist from worcester, massachusetts is said to have created the smiley face in 1963.
4) the second presidential debate aired today at 6pm. it's embarrassing to admit that i have never voted, nor participated in a presidential election. being 30 now, and somewhat responsible, it is crucial that i partake in the election process come november. in so doing, i would like to make the most educated decision as possible which is why i chose to pay close attention to this evening's debate. i will definitely tune in for the third debate come october 15th.
5) this may not be the perfect segue from the presidential candidates, but new kids on the block are going to be in san jose on friday!
6) noralie sent me a link to a song that she recorded on myspace today. she had written a song influenced by her love and passion for the hawaiian culture. she sang it at steve's party on sunday. her voice is still as amazing as it was when she would sing in high school. it was the first time i have seen and heard her sound purely happy in a while.
7) james got me hooked on a game on espn.com, cameraman football . there are two pictures of a football play side by side and you're supposed to find five differences in the pictures within a certain time frame. the leading scores are ridiculous - scores that i will never achieve! but all in all, it's quite entertaining and addicting.
8) this month is breast cancer awareness month. the disease itself is not a happy one at all, but as i was shopping in safeway today, the employees rallied to raise a certain goal within the hour. they were quite enthusiastic and appreciative of any donation. it was inspirational to say the least.
9) jessica sent a family photo album labeled "fall" today. her family keeps growing, and the pictures keep looking more and more like they should be in some magazine.
10) i certainly don't appreciate all the freedoms that come with being an american. it's something that i feel like i take for granted. my rights are undoubtedly what i have to be happy for everyday.