"For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness." - Author Unknown

A week ago, my Careers class finished. For the last day of class, I decided to play the Game of Life with my students. It's my sister's favourite board game and she has three versions of it. She was nice enough to let me borrow it and share the games with my students. Some of them never played the game before and immediately were enthralled by it. After class they came up to me and asked if they could play it over the weekend.

And they did. From 6pm-11:30pm on Saturday. I don't even know how many games that is.

Yesterday they asked to play it again and started looking at some of the other games we have in the Residence Office. I know that some of them are fans of Sherlock Holmes and like mysteries, so I recommended Clue. After dinner, I taught them how to play. It was such a great opportunity to bond with a small group of students. They loved the game and we were able to laugh together. I feel really lucky to have the job that I do because it gives me these opportunities.

With that being said, today's happy moment was leaving work. I worked in the office from Friday - Sunday, left for the afternoon on Monday, and have been there since Monday evening. It was nice to leave for a night.

"Happiness is only real when shared." - Jon Krakauer

Today my residence family and I celebrated Christmas. Normally schools celebrate before the winter holidays, but my students wanted to celebrate after. Most went home to China over the holidays, and they like having the opportunity to buy something extra special from home for their Secret Santa.

For me, the best part of tonight was seeing all of the girls happy, chatting, and catching up with one another. Some came over early to bake cookies and help set up. My cookie bakers had never baked cookies before, which made the experience extra special for all of us. The food turned out delicious, the girls were excited to exchange presents (they've been waiting for over a month!), and we chatted happily about everything possible.

The entire time I thought to myself, "I'm one of the luckiest people ever."

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust

Not off to that great of a start since I already missed a day. It was a busy day, though, and I still took the time to think about what made me happy.

Yesterday I was able to meet with my residence students all together for the first time in the New Year. It was nice seeing them again, checking up, and we wrote out our goals for 2016 together. We also made plans for our belated Christmas party (that's right, Christmas isn't over for me yet!).

Today's moment was a big one. I finally got my G license! As soon as the examiner said that I past, I let out a very loud, "Oh thank God!" Hopefully I'll be able to sleep better tonight now that it's over!

"I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.'" - Kurt Vonnegut

These past two years have been amazing years. I've started my career, traveled all over the world, lived in a different country, live in a castle, and have met some incredible people. It's been a time of great personal growth for myself and I'm constantly learning about all of the things I can do if I put my mind to it and push outside of my boundaries and comfort zone.

And yet, through all of that, I frequently find myself losing sight of what's really important. Instead of focusing on all of these positives, I find myself thinking about how I wanted things to be or nitpicking on the little day to day stuff that has gotten under my skin.

So this year, for my New Year's resolution, I want to follow Kurt Vonnegut's advice and take a moment and stop and think, "If this isn't nice, I don't know what is." I started this project several years ago and have decided to bring it back to life. This will help me to intentionally stop each day and reflect on something (and there's always something) that's made my heart smile.

Today, my heart smiled when I got to see all of my friends again after the break. It's always nice to have a holiday, and I certainly enjoy lying in front of the couch with my sweatpants and cat, but it's nice to laugh, talk, and catch up with friends again.

Here's to 2016! Let it be filled with smiling hearts, laughter, and good health!

A friendly look, a kindly smile, one good act, and life's worthwhile. - Author Unknown

I had a really quiet day. Hardly left my apartment. Today is the last day of the holidays, which I always find to be rather melancholy. I got prepared for work tomorrow, watched some more television, crocheted (oh how I missed crocheting), and did some tidying up.

Earlier this week I borrowed a friends iPhone to iMessage a friend from back home. I messaged him to tell him that he needs to get a messaging app so that we can communication to one another. I figured he either didn't get my message or chose to ignore it. Then, as I was just finishing up what I was in the middle of making, I got a message from him! Of course he didn't download the app I told him to, so I can't respond until I put more time on my phone or ask to borrow my other friend's iPhone again, but my heart still smiled when I saw his message.

Now I'm off to jump in the shower and get ready for bed. There's work to be done tomorrow.

Why not learn to enjoy the little things - there are so many of them. - Author Unknown

I picked the quote because it's definitely something I'm going to have to remember to do during the upcoming days and weeks.  Everything seems so much more stressful the past couple of days with my move to Kuwait coming closer and closer.  At times I feel totally overwhelmed and everything seems so scary.

So, I need to think about those little things.

Today we had a great pre-Thanksgiving dinner (no turkey, though, because the turkey is huge and there wasn't enough of us to justify cooking the whole thing).  It was tasty, with homemade stuffing with bacon and wine (two things I won't be having soon!).  It was really nice, and my heart is now smiling while I sit here waiting to take my maple sugar pie out of the oven.  So instead of focusing on the unknown, I can focus on the delicious meal I just had, and maybe I'll suggest a game night or movie for the rest of the evening!

Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time. - Betty Smith

I would've updated yesterday, but I was exhausted.  We had such a busy day!  For my birthday, we went to the zoo, which was a great time, and where my smiling heart moment for the day occurred.

I am a huge fan of Giant Pandas.  The day I heard they were coming to Toronto, my heart smiled.  The day they arrived in Toronto, my heart smiled.  So obviously, the day I got to see them in person, my heart smiled.

Today, my heart smiled when I saw Monster University.  It was funny, sweet, and the theater was nice and cool!  Couldn't have asked for me more (well, maybe more butter on the popcorn, but whatever!).