"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!).

Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. - Mildred Barthel

Without looking at past posts, I'm pretty sure I've written about this many many times, but it always makes my heart smile anyway.

It's simple.  Lying in bed, the sun shining in, having no where to rush to, cuddled up next to my cat with a great book.  Seriously.  How is that not the best way to start your day and how could that not make your heart smile?

And just to make this post even better, here's a picture of my two cats (not together because they don't really like each other so they're rarely close enough to each other to get a picture of them together).

Gump!  Not the one I was cuddling with.

Forest!  The cuddle monster.

Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it. - William Feather

I'm going to play a bit of catch-up.

Monday was a hectic day at my internship.  There's been some behavioral problems that require a lot of attention, which has lots of people on edge.  Plus, there's some really important meetings later this week, training on Tuesday, and just everyday craziness.  It being a Monday doesn't help either.  But, with that being said, there's always time for a smiling heart moment, and mine was working with a student on his English homework and helping him finish it, even though he continuously said he couldn't do it.  There's just something awesome that happens when someone realizes that what they thought they couldn't do is something they can do.

Tuesday was a relaxing day.  The staff at my internship were off for training in Toronto, so I got the day off.  Of course, I spent it doing nothing, which in and of itself had my heart smiling (especially since I didn't know I'd have the day off until Monday afternoon).  I really had two smiling heart moments on Tuesday.  The first was when I finished reading Bluebeard by Kurt Vonnegut while sitting out on my back porch in the sun.  The second was watching The Croods with my little sister.  It was nice to spend some time with her while watching a really good movie about the importance of family.

Today my smiling heart moment happened during a meeting at my internship.  Personally, I feel like I'm getting along well and adjusting to life there, but what I personally feel isn't necessarily what everyone else feels.  So it was really nice when the staff members all commented on how quickly and easily I have connected with the students and the program, and even said that most people don't normally transition into it so well so soon.  One of the Youth Workers commented that she could tell the students like me because they went from saying that they didn't need any help, to asking me for help.  She said that when they actually want you to help them, that means that they like you.  So yeah for me!

"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

So what brought me to update today?  The quote in the subject line.  In his commencement speech to the 1999 graduates at Agnes Scott College, Kurt Vonnegut ends with the phrase, "If this isn't nice, I don't know what is," and that got me thinking.  If this isn't nice, what is?

The weather is amazing.  I spent some time prepping the garden to plant some vegetables, which I've been waiting to do since last year.  I also found some granadilla fruits (haven't eaten them yet, but just that I found them is pretty awesome and smiling heart worthy).  I ate a deep fried cannoli, and yes, it made my heart smile (I know what the health nuts are thinking, and yes, I see the irony).  I played two rounds of mini putt (and lost both rounds).  I got my eyes checked and the changes to my prescription is so mild that I don't even really need to buy new glasses, but (another smiling heart moment) because I have awesome coverage, I am getting new glasses (talk about privilege!).  I even had time to watch this really inspiring TED Talk: 

So, back to the original question, if this isn't nice, what is?

Edited after the fact:  The quote is originally in A Man Without a Country (also by Kurt Vonnegut), but it was while watching the commencement speech today, where he repeats this quote at the end, that I decided to update.

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. - Mary Engelbreit

I had a bit of a rough May.  I was put in an awkward situation where my success at school was reliant on getting a pass from someone who could only be described as sexist, homophobic, Islamophobic, and just an all around not really great person.  What made it even more awkward is the fact that she liked me, and was therefore nice to me.  So I had to be around this person every day who would spew what I could only describe as disgusting things, and couldn't do anything about it or else I'd fail.  Finally, on my last day, I was able to speak up a bit, which was a fantastic feeling.

Today, in one of my classes, a fellow classmate started saying very similar homophobic things.  I could feel the tension, and I knew that what he was saying directly affected a fellow classmate.  I couldn't hold in what I was thinking or feeling anymore, and very reasonably questioned this classmate.  As soon as I started, other classmates started to object to what he was saying as well.  Afterwards, several came up to me and thanked me for saying something, and said that it gave them courage to say what they wanted to say as well.

It made my heart smile to hear other people standing up for the rights of others and to know that sometimes all it takes is one voice to break the silence.

Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching? - Dennis and Wendy Mannering

One of my teachers won an award for her amazingly contagious and inspirational work.  It made my heart smile to see her being recognized for her work.  I can't think of anyone more deserving.

Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy. - Robert Brault

The past month has been absolutely crazy.  I'll just do a quick break down of the ups and downs of 2013 so far:

• Got an internship that I'm feeling really good about.
• Broke up with my boyfriend (a positive thing, though still a down).
• Start applying for adult jobs.

And.... Wait for it...

Got a job as a Middle School Social Studies teacher in Kuwait!

So it's been crazy.  I've been having a hard time trying to figure out where my head is at, but have still been enjoying those small little moments that make me smile every single day.  Today it was seeing a friend that I haven't seen in over a year.  It was great catching up with her over amazing Caribbean food!  I hope to see her again sometime soon to hear about how her interview went.

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. - Victor Borge

I don't really like presentations.  I always get super nervous, my hands shake, and I'm pretty sure that everyone is bored to death by what I'm saying.

Today I did a PowerPoint presentation on different cultures' weddings.  I picked three, thought they were interesting, but the students looked board out of their minds.  After the presentation, I had them read a newspaper article on one of the groups and how the elders in the community were concerned that their traditions were being tossed aside and that more Westernized ideas were taking their place.  The students then did a think, pair, share about it.  While they were pairing off, I walked around to see what people were saying.  I got to one part of the class, and two of the students said that I should teach every day, and the classmates sitting around them all agreed.  It made my heart smile to see that what I'm doing isn't for waste, and that the students do enjoy it (in hindsight, I should've realized the students were enjoying the presentation because they were all pretty silent during it, even though they didn't have to write any notes).

(Also, I did a 3-2-1 exit card, and for the 1 I asked for them to write one thing they enjoyed about the lesson.  One of the students wrote, "Learning about different weddings, and your laugh."  That also made me smile.)

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. - Herm Albright, quoted in Reader's Digest, June 1995

My first moment happened sometime last week.  I was on my way home on the bus after school, and the bus driver pulled over and ran into a store.  He left the door open and someone entered the bus while the driver was away.  What made my heart smile was that the person who came onto the bus, even though the driver was away, still paid.  There's so many stories about people being dishonest, but here was a case where a person was being honest when they could've gotten away with lying.  It was just such a nice thing to see.

All week I have been incredibly stressed and sick.  It's just not a good mix and hasn't been a whole lot of fun.  Yesterday I stayed up super late to finish two lesson plans and was really worried that my AT would think they were flops.  I wasn't looking forward to getting them passed by her, but couldn't think of any other way to get the information to the students.  I tentatively showed her my lesson plan, and immediately after reading my first questionable plan, she said, "Love it.  Keep it in."  My heart smiled to know that my work was appreciated and that she has faith in the work that I come up with, even when I don't.  (It also made my heart smile because it means I don't have to redo it tonight, so instead of been cuddling with my cat since she's been neglected lately).

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. - Eleanor Roosevelt

As I've written already, the school and work load is pretty intense right now.  It seems that most of my time is spent doing only academic or work related stuff.  Not really how I enjoy spending my time...

So a little break is always welcomed.  Today a group of us from class went out afterwards for some food and drinks.  It's nice getting to see people outside of the classroom, talking about stuff that's not school related.  It sort of humanizes all of us and is a nice reminder that we're more than just what we read for class.  My heart was smiling so much during our lunch, that I didn't want to leave!  I'm looking forward to more opportunities to get to know my classmates, especially those I haven't had the chance to really chat with so far.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Robert Brault

For the last couple of weeks, it seems as though the only times I leave the house is when I absolutely have to.  I have to go to school, go to work, or got to family's for dinner.  It's not just been about going out just because.  And that gets kind of exhausting.  In fact, I've started to just not want to go out, and instead staying in when I don't have to be somewhere.  Which is good, but also not really all that good because I then start to only do school work when I'm home, so that eventually it feels like every waking minute is consumed by school and work.

Which is why today was so nice.  After school and work, I went out with Chris for dinner and a movie.  It was nice for that little bit to be out in the world and not doing something that needed to be done.  There was no task involved.  Also, the movie was rather entertaining and enjoyable.

So the smiling heart moment for the day was being able to do something that I didn't have to do, and enjoying it.  It was small and simple, but it gave me a much needed break.

Happiness is a form of courage. - Holbrook Jackson

It's funny how sometimes moments that make you uncomfortable or stressed can turn into moments that, when you look back on it, are good moments.

Today in class we had a really uncomfortable conversation on the idea of white complicity.  Someone made a comment that wasn't very well received by the class (myself included).  In moments like that, I often like to shrink back and hope that they just resolve themselves and pass.  I don't particularly like getting involved in conflicts, and my immediate reaction is for flight.  However, as the discussion continued on, I realized that I could offer a unique perspective into the conversation, and could feel that others were waiting for me to say something.  I very cautiously put up my hand, then quickly put it back down, but I was too late.  The teacher noticed, and I was eventually called on.

The thing is, I don't really like sharing personal stories in arguments, especially in tense situations where it could be tossed back at me.  I guess I've just been hurt too many times, so I find it easier to withdraw.  So when it was my turn to speak, my heart was thumping like mad, my face turned beat read, my voice was quivering, and my hands were shaking.  But I got what was needed to say out, and afterwards, people came up to me and thanked me for it.

Yes, it was really hard, both emotionally and physically, to say what I did, but I'm grateful that I did.  In fact, I'd even go as far as to say that it was my smiling heart moment for the day.

Got no checkbooks, got no banks,/ Still I'd like to express my thanks - /I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night. - Irving Berlin, "I Got the Sun in the Morning," 1946

I have to say that if ever there was a time to update this blog, it's on Thanksgiving.  The whole point of this was to remind myself of all the small things and moments that I have every single day to be thankful for.  And even though I don't update this even close to regularly, it has helped me to think about those times.

It's been an amazing weekend.  For starters, it was a long weekend, which is something I am most definitely thankful for.  While I love school tremendously and have met some amazing people and learned some amazing things, it's nice to have a mini break.  Although this break was not nearly long enough.  But enough of that.

The last couple of weeks that I've worked Saturday closes, we've been swamped and the store's been a disaster when it closes.  Which means we get out later than usual, which means it sucks.  However, this Saturday, even though we were busy, my heart smiled when the door closed and I was out of work on time.

Sunday was Thanksgiving with my mom's family.  It was a pigs roast, which wasn't too smiling heart for me, but there was also a kegger, and for that, my heart was smiling.  (Plus I got to see family and all that good stuff). 

Today I got to meet Chris' extended family and have some of his grandmother's homemade lasagna.  It was everything I imagined it to be (super delicious), and his family was very nice and inviting.  My heart is still smiling knowing that that's done and went well.

Everything in life happens for a reason so live it, learn it, and love it. Use your smile to change the world; don't let the world change your smile! - Unknown

I attended a Peace and Justice in Education conference today.  I had to wake up at 6am on a Saturday, and it was absolutely dead downtown when I got there.  Let's just say, I wasn't that happy at first.  But the conference itself ended up being amazing, and quickly I realized that it was worth the early morning wake up.  

On top of all the really awesome information, I also saw how many connections and relationships I'm forming with other classmates.  My heart smiled when I realized that I never once was left sitting alone all day, and never found myself unable to find someone to talk to.

It was nice to know that one of my biggest fears of the school year was completely unfounded!