2.05.2009
happiness is a warm gun...
3 Things That Went Right Yesterday
♥ Mia called me from the airport: ) She will be a wonderful missionary!
♥ I laughed a lot with Momi and Seth and Clark and SOL
♥ Baby Sol
♥ Ate yummy Stake and rice with the people I love.
♥ I was able to meet up with Laurie Kruger my young women’s president!
♥ I cleaned houses and spotted 2 kinds of geckos Ive never seen before. (Uniquely colored geckos like cheetahs FYI) and made some money
3 Things That Went Right Today
♥ I took some beautiful photos this morning
♥ Brother Skaf seemed happy when I told him I would volunteer Saturday
♥ L & L said yes for me to have a bake sale Saturday
♥ I didn't get fired from my job
♥ Just checked my planner and my English paper is actually due next Friday not tomorrow. what a relief!
♥ My roommate Haley just called me. I love when my house is like a family,
♥ The boy sitting next to me is humming Amazing Grace. I love him and I love that song.
Life is wonderful. Today I was reading about simple things that studies have proven that make people happy. I know that "studies" may not always be accurate. But here are a few that I have put in to practice that I agree are great!
1. Write down at least three things every day that went right.
2. Use our strengths. I didn't know this but we are actually hard wired to "fix" our weaknesses. Which is good to an extent but studies show that we are happier and more productive when we are working on our strengths.
3. Write letters of gratitude. There are lots of people that are so awesome but maybe never properly thanked.
I’m going to add 3 simple things that make me happy everyday to this list
1. Take time out for you and write in a Journal.
I love to write in my journal and feel out of whack when I don't. Even if you feel you have nothing to say, you do. Sometimes I like to do a free write just to get out whatever it is lurking around in the back burner of my mind for days. I’ve found that I can spend hours organizing, making to do lists, even making money but it seems there is no replacement for not knowing ourselves.
"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power." -Laozi,
I read this in one of my favorite books "Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff". Not that we should be a hermit, but I do think its important to steal yourself away every so often, as its in those moments we are able to recognize the sound of our inner voice. Sometimes there's so much going on we cant even hear what were thinking. When my TO DO lists are especially long I just have to pause and think, "Am I living my life or is my life living me?"
One of my favorite books in the world, my Grandma Gladys gave me, "A Woman of Independent means" by Elizabeth Forsyth Hailey.
The main character Bess says, "Spend time alone. It is the constant ebb and flow from social to solitude that balances a man"
A side note: This is an awesome book! It’s written in the form of letters, from this revolutionary lady Bess who lives in the 20s but her ideas are so ahead of her time. She is independent despite what society might say and says, "just do, instead of waiting for something to happen, since the future is unknown".
She is always so positive and wise. When I read the book I was in high school and the woman Bess treats death like the enemy so she is always trying to live her life to the fullest. She loves life so much she hates sleeping. I felt connected with her from the start because shes always writing late into the night. When I was reading this I became a little of an insomniac too. The best books are those that change you.
2. Take time everyday to think of people you love.
There is this book called Messages in the Water. And it’s about this Japanese scientist who studies water molecules. It’s really awesome. He believes that water has a spirit and can sense good and evil. So he also believes we can send our love out into the world, through the ocean. (This is a wonderful phenomenon! As so many I love are far away!) Just thinking about the people I love makes me happy. And just like setting aside time for ourselves everyday, is important its important to think of all the people you love and why you love them. I don’t know why it makes me happy to do, it just does!
3. Learn something new everyday.
When I first started going to school here in Hawaii it would sometimes be difficult for met to just focus on my homework without getting too bored. So I had this idea to start a notebook full of stuff I was interested in. I labeled it "secular knowledge" and would research whatever I wanted. This was kind of my way of rewarding myself after staying in the library for so long. After hours of sitting my bottom would be uncomfortable so roaming the isles of the library looking up things I was curious about was very rewarding!
One more point of interest:
There are two kinds of thirsty I think. Just like there are two kinds of hungry. The first kind of hungry usually starts at the pit of your stomach on Fast Sundays, works its way up to your throat and makes sometimes embarrassing gurgling noises during moments of reverence. You try to blend in but your stomach is so empty it refuses to go unnoticed. And then there's the second kind where you are so busy you are totally clueless to the fact that your hungry, until you get hold of one morsel of sustenance and turn from into a rabid dog.
Anyway on being thirsty: The first happens after you've just gone on a run or had a rigorous workout, luckily this is a rarity for me. The second kind of thirsty is when your mouth is so horribly dry your tonsils feel sort of dried up, usually caused from a mouth gaping open in the night. This is the root of all evil for me. Every night I make preparations to avoid being a fish out of water-I go to bed every night with a glass of water. Often times the gesture goes untouched, but its comforting to know the elixir of life sits just a hand reach away on the nightstand.
Last night there was a series of unfortunate events. I woke up quenched for thirst and flailing my hand around in the dark I reached out to grab the safety cup. But alas- it was gone. Puzzled I thought how unusual, I must have forgotten it tonight. So then went to the kitchen to pour myself another. After taking care of business I climbed back into bed and my cup assumed its position on my nightstand. About to slip off to a peaceful rest of the night I felt something. My sheets were soaked! My first thought was "did I wet the bed?!" Shifting around some more I felt something hard- my cup!! I came to the conclusion I was sleep drinking! The original cup was under the covers and I was completely soiled, for some reason I didn't notice when I first woke up I was so distracted by dry mouth. It was unusual; I guess the moral is- Retire to thy bed early. I have been going to bed so late lately and I must be suffering the consequences of deleriousness.
However, there is a saying that I really like that is perhaps suiting, it goes something like,
"Why take just one sip from the glass of life, when we can drink generously from a cup overflowing?"
♥ Mia called me from the airport: ) She will be a wonderful missionary!
♥ I laughed a lot with Momi and Seth and Clark and SOL
♥ Baby Sol
♥ Ate yummy Stake and rice with the people I love.
♥ I was able to meet up with Laurie Kruger my young women’s president!
♥ I cleaned houses and spotted 2 kinds of geckos Ive never seen before. (Uniquely colored geckos like cheetahs FYI) and made some money
3 Things That Went Right Today
♥ I took some beautiful photos this morning
♥ Brother Skaf seemed happy when I told him I would volunteer Saturday
♥ L & L said yes for me to have a bake sale Saturday
♥ I didn't get fired from my job
♥ Just checked my planner and my English paper is actually due next Friday not tomorrow. what a relief!
♥ My roommate Haley just called me. I love when my house is like a family,
♥ The boy sitting next to me is humming Amazing Grace. I love him and I love that song.
Life is wonderful. Today I was reading about simple things that studies have proven that make people happy. I know that "studies" may not always be accurate. But here are a few that I have put in to practice that I agree are great!
1. Write down at least three things every day that went right.
2. Use our strengths. I didn't know this but we are actually hard wired to "fix" our weaknesses. Which is good to an extent but studies show that we are happier and more productive when we are working on our strengths.
3. Write letters of gratitude. There are lots of people that are so awesome but maybe never properly thanked.
I’m going to add 3 simple things that make me happy everyday to this list
1. Take time out for you and write in a Journal.
I love to write in my journal and feel out of whack when I don't. Even if you feel you have nothing to say, you do. Sometimes I like to do a free write just to get out whatever it is lurking around in the back burner of my mind for days. I’ve found that I can spend hours organizing, making to do lists, even making money but it seems there is no replacement for not knowing ourselves.
"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power." -Laozi,
I read this in one of my favorite books "Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff". Not that we should be a hermit, but I do think its important to steal yourself away every so often, as its in those moments we are able to recognize the sound of our inner voice. Sometimes there's so much going on we cant even hear what were thinking. When my TO DO lists are especially long I just have to pause and think, "Am I living my life or is my life living me?"
One of my favorite books in the world, my Grandma Gladys gave me, "A Woman of Independent means" by Elizabeth Forsyth Hailey.
The main character Bess says, "Spend time alone. It is the constant ebb and flow from social to solitude that balances a man"
A side note: This is an awesome book! It’s written in the form of letters, from this revolutionary lady Bess who lives in the 20s but her ideas are so ahead of her time. She is independent despite what society might say and says, "just do, instead of waiting for something to happen, since the future is unknown".
She is always so positive and wise. When I read the book I was in high school and the woman Bess treats death like the enemy so she is always trying to live her life to the fullest. She loves life so much she hates sleeping. I felt connected with her from the start because shes always writing late into the night. When I was reading this I became a little of an insomniac too. The best books are those that change you.
2. Take time everyday to think of people you love.
There is this book called Messages in the Water. And it’s about this Japanese scientist who studies water molecules. It’s really awesome. He believes that water has a spirit and can sense good and evil. So he also believes we can send our love out into the world, through the ocean. (This is a wonderful phenomenon! As so many I love are far away!) Just thinking about the people I love makes me happy. And just like setting aside time for ourselves everyday, is important its important to think of all the people you love and why you love them. I don’t know why it makes me happy to do, it just does!
3. Learn something new everyday.
When I first started going to school here in Hawaii it would sometimes be difficult for met to just focus on my homework without getting too bored. So I had this idea to start a notebook full of stuff I was interested in. I labeled it "secular knowledge" and would research whatever I wanted. This was kind of my way of rewarding myself after staying in the library for so long. After hours of sitting my bottom would be uncomfortable so roaming the isles of the library looking up things I was curious about was very rewarding!
One more point of interest:
There are two kinds of thirsty I think. Just like there are two kinds of hungry. The first kind of hungry usually starts at the pit of your stomach on Fast Sundays, works its way up to your throat and makes sometimes embarrassing gurgling noises during moments of reverence. You try to blend in but your stomach is so empty it refuses to go unnoticed. And then there's the second kind where you are so busy you are totally clueless to the fact that your hungry, until you get hold of one morsel of sustenance and turn from into a rabid dog.
Anyway on being thirsty: The first happens after you've just gone on a run or had a rigorous workout, luckily this is a rarity for me. The second kind of thirsty is when your mouth is so horribly dry your tonsils feel sort of dried up, usually caused from a mouth gaping open in the night. This is the root of all evil for me. Every night I make preparations to avoid being a fish out of water-I go to bed every night with a glass of water. Often times the gesture goes untouched, but its comforting to know the elixir of life sits just a hand reach away on the nightstand.
Last night there was a series of unfortunate events. I woke up quenched for thirst and flailing my hand around in the dark I reached out to grab the safety cup. But alas- it was gone. Puzzled I thought how unusual, I must have forgotten it tonight. So then went to the kitchen to pour myself another. After taking care of business I climbed back into bed and my cup assumed its position on my nightstand. About to slip off to a peaceful rest of the night I felt something. My sheets were soaked! My first thought was "did I wet the bed?!" Shifting around some more I felt something hard- my cup!! I came to the conclusion I was sleep drinking! The original cup was under the covers and I was completely soiled, for some reason I didn't notice when I first woke up I was so distracted by dry mouth. It was unusual; I guess the moral is- Retire to thy bed early. I have been going to bed so late lately and I must be suffering the consequences of deleriousness.
However, there is a saying that I really like that is perhaps suiting, it goes something like,
"Why take just one sip from the glass of life, when we can drink generously from a cup overflowing?"
2.02.2009
Monday monday.
Its funny how you notice things according to you own interests. When Momi was pregnant I noted the influx of babies and pregnant woman taking over the planet. Ive been cutting hair lately and I catch myself thinking things Ive never thought, like 'my teacher's hair is creeping up over his ears, he could use a trim'.
It made me realize the world isnt really changing, its me that is.
My friend Steph told me once, "theres your reality, theres my reality and then theres reality." I love her.
I also love the sound of music. Ive been thinking about that movie alot lately for some reason. Maybe simply because the songs are so catchy. But I love what the nuns all sing about Maria, "how do you catch a moon beam in your hand?"
It seems unfortunate we tend to see ourselves with a scornful eye. I know its a musical, but setting that aside, I love Maria because she never seems to stop singing and being so optimistic. Perhaps the world would be a more enchanting place if we could be more like her. Yet she even thinks at the beginning that shes not "good enough". I was watching Dr. Phil once and someone had a habit, a foot fetish or something and he was inquiring about if this was a bad thing. Dr. Phil said, "our habits as long as they don't harm us or society are our own unique contributions to the world". One of Marias habits in the sound of music is singing and she says in the movie, " I can't seem to stop saying things - anything and everything I think and feel." and she thinks its a bad thing, however, I admire her for it! I know it sounds cheezy but, never stop being who you are! You never know, perhaps someone is looking up to you for something small you do!
"To sleep, with the moon in one eye and the sun in the other, Love in your mouth, a lovely bird in your hair, Adorned like the fields, the woods, the routes, the sea, Around the whole world so lovely and adorned. Flee across the landscape Through branches of smoke and all the fruits of the wind, Stone legs with sand stockings, Held by the waist, all the river's muscles, And the last concern on a face transformed." -Paul Èluard
This weekend we stopped in for a second at a pet store. We really entered in serach of puppies. But being on an island, they must all be imported because there wasn't one insight. The most domestic thing there was a bunny rabbit. I asked this teenage boy working in the back if I could hold him. The boy told me the rabbit had been there for about a month. When I was holding the black bunny I couldnt help but wonder how long it had been since he'd been held. A month? two months? His whole life?
If I could change one small thing in the world I hope that no one would ever go a day without being held. My friend and old roomate Kaitlyn always made sure this never was a reality in our home: )
As a public service, I want to do this some time.
As a public service, I want to do this some time.It was funny at that pet store. The isles were really cramped, if the store was a city, imagine the kind like Seattle, full of one way streets. Just big enough for one person to be in the "fish isle" at a time, either that or you had to walk single file. Anyway reading the labels on the animals cages it would say things like, Guniea Pigs Female? The awfully suspicious question mark was what made me think twice.
Speaking of animals though, Clark and I stumbled upon a young family of pot Belly pigs a few weeks ago in the Gardens of the married housing. They seem a bit neglected so weve been bringing them left overs. When we discovered them we spent our day in the pen with our hands outstretched, but close as not to threaten them saying,"TOUCH ME, TOUCH ME!" trying to allure the pigs to us and gain moral with the mother. We went to visit them again today. What an incredible world we live in. I love , Love. All creatures speak it.
The mother is such a gentle giant. She is black, and though she wears a wintery white beard she is quite feminine.
This isnt her because I didnt bring a camera, but she has a similar look.
She is so kind to her children and doesnt "hog" all the food like you might think. Many of my sterotypes of pigs were broken down. Including that they are ignorant animals. They are so smart. The entire fung shway of the pig pen is set up so the pigs know where the bathroom is, kitchen, and sleeping area. After this experince I am now a vegetarian. They are the sweetest animals. Clark and me tried to pig nap the runt since weve heard horror stories about what they do to the runt. Our friend Robbie attempted to pick him up, and after protesting (squealing ) we decided against it. I am however nervous for these babies to get big. After all this Hawaii, luaus are very popular.
"I would like to live on a farm. Not a modern farm, mind you, but a simple old-fashioned farm with cows and pigs and goats and chickens and ducks and horses, where every day is the same except for the seasons bringing a different kind of work. I would have a vegetable garden, and from the kitchen I could look over a wheat field. I would work hard all day long and feed a lot of people, preferably more children than grown-ups. I would have a big, square wood-burning stove with low benches on the side where we would sit in winter and warm our backs. And in summer there would be large copper kettles on the stove with fruit and sugar cooking for hours, the preserve jars lined up on the long kitchen table, and in the fall mushrooms on the stove, freshly picked in the woods nearby. There would be a small river to calmly fish in. The farm should not be too far away from a small village, and I would set my clock by the sound of the evening church bells. I would like to sit on a bench in front of the house when the day's work is ended or lie under an apple tree."
from Marlene Dietrich's ABC
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." Marcel Proust
My friends Emily, Clark and I have started to garden this semester. We procured some soil from the married housing gardens and now the seedlings are germinating! We were off to a rough start when the watering schedule wasn't yet set in stone. We were horrified at the thought we may have drowned our plants on accident. We would all water them unbeknownst to each other, so the plants in a sense were binge eaters, sometimes eating 3 helpings, sometimes starving so much the soil was cracked and dry. I believe the phrase, "too many cooks in the kitchen" may be used here.
But after a few days the peas have sprang up and the lavender and thyme are looking promising. If there was a head gardener I think it would be Clark. He is always asking people for tips and saving seeds from things he eats like apples, or oranges in hopes to grow them. Today I heard him call them his "babies."
My Life is brilliant!! I hope yours is too! This week maybe we can sing more, hug more and grow more! I LOVE Everyone! <3
What are friends for, my mother asks. A duty undone, visit missed, casserole unbaked for sick Jane. Someone has just made her bitter. Nothing. They are for nothing, friends, I think. All they do in the end- they touch you. They fill you like music. Rosellen Brown
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." Marcel Proust
My friends Emily, Clark and I have started to garden this semester. We procured some soil from the married housing gardens and now the seedlings are germinating! We were off to a rough start when the watering schedule wasn't yet set in stone. We were horrified at the thought we may have drowned our plants on accident. We would all water them unbeknownst to each other, so the plants in a sense were binge eaters, sometimes eating 3 helpings, sometimes starving so much the soil was cracked and dry. I believe the phrase, "too many cooks in the kitchen" may be used here.
But after a few days the peas have sprang up and the lavender and thyme are looking promising. If there was a head gardener I think it would be Clark. He is always asking people for tips and saving seeds from things he eats like apples, or oranges in hopes to grow them. Today I heard him call them his "babies."
My Life is brilliant!! I hope yours is too! This week maybe we can sing more, hug more and grow more! I LOVE Everyone! <3
What are friends for, my mother asks. A duty undone, visit missed, casserole unbaked for sick Jane. Someone has just made her bitter. Nothing. They are for nothing, friends, I think. All they do in the end- they touch you. They fill you like music. Rosellen Brown
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