As I have a self-acknowledged problem about being sulky and unhappy these days more often than necessary, undertaking the 100 Happy Days challenge (100happydays.com) posed as the right pursuit for me. Back when this inexperienced mind naively thought that everything was rainbows and unicorns, I somehow perceived that happiness came as naturally as breathing. But alas! We grow older, we get weathered with experiences, and we get caught up in this breakneck speed of life that we tend to disregard those spontaneous jabs of bliss that can come from all sorts of things--expected or not, sought or given, big or small.
And so I had 100 days to try and rediscover for myself the things that make me happy. 100 days to realize yet again that there are 100 reasons to smile and more, and that there should never be a day wasted thinking that life sucks big time. (Well it does sometimes, but not most of the time.)
This is quite a long post so...STOP! Do NOT proceed if you don't want to get bored with the mundane stuff that makes this woman happy. The entries do not comprise of partying or bungee-jumping (though I would have wished for the latter). You've been forewarned. If you're not up to plunging into a snoozefest, STOP and go eat a cheeseburger instead. Or a banana.
And so I had 100 days to try and rediscover for myself the things that make me happy. 100 days to realize yet again that there are 100 reasons to smile and more, and that there should never be a day wasted thinking that life sucks big time. (Well it does sometimes, but not most of the time.)
This is quite a long post so...STOP! Do NOT proceed if you don't want to get bored with the mundane stuff that makes this woman happy. The entries do not comprise of partying or bungee-jumping (though I would have wished for the latter). You've been forewarned. If you're not up to plunging into a snoozefest, STOP and go eat a cheeseburger instead. Or a banana.
have their moments on Facebook.
I loooove dogs to death and seeing one never fails to make me giddy. Seeing these lovely balls of love, Cheechee and Cody, made me think of my two grown boys, (Bark & Byte) busy doing their thing back home in the hills and in the wild.
My sister's dogs I loooove dogs to death and seeing one never fails to make me giddy. Seeing these lovely balls of love, Cheechee and Cody, made me think of my two grown boys, (Bark & Byte) busy doing their thing back home in the hills and in the wild.
This afternoon skyline from my bedroom window.
Sunrises and sunsets make me fall in love. This sight from my bedroom window here in Dubai just about spells romance for me.
Sunrises and sunsets make me fall in love. This sight from my bedroom window here in Dubai just about spells romance for me.
Hubby's selfie. Haha! After a thorough disclaimer of "I rarely take a selfie", Dalifer sent me this. For some weird, unexplained reason, I find it very cute and endearing that it's now my screen lock display on my phone. Seriously. :p | "Sweet Lorraine" I am such a sucker for love stories. I saw this shared by a friend. Watched it. Cried buckets. Made hubby watch it. He cried buckets too. (Nah, he did not, hehe.) But he was that moved as well. Watch this! You canNOT NOT be moved. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDi4hBWsvkY&feature=kp |
This. Hamdesal & an anime chick and me. (May I explain? Haha!)
The baker behind these breads said I looked like a living anime character. Whether his flattery was meant to make me a "suki" (regular customer) or he was sincere, that sort of appreciation from a stranger admittedly made me grin from ear to ear. I think anime girls are all pretty and ham in 'pandesal' is awesome. So bread and anime. Well, what more can I say? ;)
The baker behind these breads said I looked like a living anime character. Whether his flattery was meant to make me a "suki" (regular customer) or he was sincere, that sort of appreciation from a stranger admittedly made me grin from ear to ear. I think anime girls are all pretty and ham in 'pandesal' is awesome. So bread and anime. Well, what more can I say? ;)
This furball.
Saw SuperCat effortlessly jumping from branch to branch. When I stopped to watch her/him, SuperCat hissed at me, obviously annoyed at a human freak mesmerized with its feline superpowers. But really, it was heartwarming watching brave furball here. I had to stay and watch it for ten minutes or so.
Saw SuperCat effortlessly jumping from branch to branch. When I stopped to watch her/him, SuperCat hissed at me, obviously annoyed at a human freak mesmerized with its feline superpowers. But really, it was heartwarming watching brave furball here. I had to stay and watch it for ten minutes or so.
Rainy Day in the Desert
I love the desert rain!
The downpour today gave these men a free pass for skipping work. Right now you can hear a racket of delight from them. Instant day off! For men who work day in and day out under the scorching heat of the sun, this sure is a treat. I just hope they still get to be paid today.
I love the desert rain!
The downpour today gave these men a free pass for skipping work. Right now you can hear a racket of delight from them. Instant day off! For men who work day in and day out under the scorching heat of the sun, this sure is a treat. I just hope they still get to be paid today.
This park I walk through on my way home.
It's always nice to say goodbye to your work desk. (Today especially because it's the last weekday for me.) But it's always nicer going home through this. It's a mini-park right next to where I live. It's where I jog most evenings and it's where I walk by on weekdays. The colors change through the seasons. And this is during a pre-summer evening.
It's always nice to say goodbye to your work desk. (Today especially because it's the last weekday for me.) But it's always nicer going home through this. It's a mini-park right next to where I live. It's where I jog most evenings and it's where I walk by on weekdays. The colors change through the seasons. And this is during a pre-summer evening.
*That's just 10 my dear friends. If you've reached this far, thank you for taking a peek at my happiness. But there's 90 more days to go. Consider this a second warning. But do click on if you must. :)
"My dream is to make people happy because I'm happy."
--Zhang Junhao
Just when I thought there was nothing to smile about today, I saw this video of this kid who could teach the whole world so much about happiness.
Another must-watch:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152083772426961&set=vb.60878026960&&theater
--Zhang Junhao
Just when I thought there was nothing to smile about today, I saw this video of this kid who could teach the whole world so much about happiness.
Another must-watch:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152083772426961&set=vb.60878026960&&theater
A New Download!
More stories on the go. And these are from my favorite author of all time!
More stories on the go. And these are from my favorite author of all time!
Sportsfest Championships!
It's always a breath of fresh air getting to mingle with 'kailyans' after a long week's work. Today capped off the Friday games with a very entertaining championship bouts among the Cordilleran provinces.
It's always a breath of fresh air getting to mingle with 'kailyans' after a long week's work. Today capped off the Friday games with a very entertaining championship bouts among the Cordilleran provinces.
Laughter with him.
Priceless.
Priceless.
A little bit of home.
For Easter Sunday's dinner, we had what we could best make of a 'pinikpikan'. My family back home sent 'etag'. And the flavorful, smoky taste of this local delicacy was just very, very good. It made me go for thirds.
For Easter Sunday's dinner, we had what we could best make of a 'pinikpikan'. My family back home sent 'etag'. And the flavorful, smoky taste of this local delicacy was just very, very good. It made me go for thirds.
This personality test results.
It's nice to be reminded of the things that personally matter. Humbling.
It's nice to be reminded of the things that personally matter. Humbling.
A Dog in Dubai
I went to this friend's birthday celebration. It was really nice to mingle with some friends again but I have to be very honest that the best part was meeting this little ball of love! It was just very nice to meet a dog here in Dubai, because such is a rarity. The cat was a bonus.
I went to this friend's birthday celebration. It was really nice to mingle with some friends again but I have to be very honest that the best part was meeting this little ball of love! It was just very nice to meet a dog here in Dubai, because such is a rarity. The cat was a bonus.
Life's Little Ironies
Wolfing down trash/guilty/ indulgences then running like crazy right after so that butt can stay there without the anterior ballooning up. Vanity? Not! ;)
(P.S. It's my first McDonald's meal in five months! Ha!)
Wolfing down trash/guilty/ indulgences then running like crazy right after so that butt can stay there without the anterior ballooning up. Vanity? Not! ;)
(P.S. It's my first McDonald's meal in five months! Ha!)
Orange is the New Black! Props to Dalifer for introducing me to my new babysitters! Loving the comedy-drama so much that I marathoned 5 episodes straight..(during the long hours at work today!) :p | Daddy's 56th (supposedly) May 22. Dad's birthday. You are missed. http://catchascatchcan.weebly.com/scribbles--snapshots/to-my-other-man |
Family!
It is always a treat for me to see recent pictures of my loved ones back home. I religiously view every photo and click like on each of them. For moments like these, my hunger for home and for them is sated. Still I yearn for them more than ever but these brief moments of indulgences always make my day!
It is always a treat for me to see recent pictures of my loved ones back home. I religiously view every photo and click like on each of them. For moments like these, my hunger for home and for them is sated. Still I yearn for them more than ever but these brief moments of indulgences always make my day!
Two Great Things!
1. It's Father's Day today and it's just so good to be able to call someone Daddy again. Meet my father-in-law. :)
2. Two years in UAE! I've made it this long! I truly doubted I won't even last for a year but guess what, I did more than that.
1. It's Father's Day today and it's just so good to be able to call someone Daddy again. Meet my father-in-law. :)
2. Two years in UAE! I've made it this long! I truly doubted I won't even last for a year but guess what, I did more than that.
This New Baby.
I am no enthusiast but a passion can be awakened. *wink*
P.S. At the end of the day, this is going to be the hubby's toy. :)
I am no enthusiast but a passion can be awakened. *wink*
P.S. At the end of the day, this is going to be the hubby's toy. :)
These furballs!
(Byte, Bark, Cheechee & Cody)
My sister made me very happy today when she sent me this point and shoot photos of these babies while we were chatting. It was just so nice to see all of them. I was giddy with happiness. Haha! Really, when it comes to my dogs, I go crazy. Thank you Antonette. You know how to make your little sister smile.
(Byte, Bark, Cheechee & Cody)
My sister made me very happy today when she sent me this point and shoot photos of these babies while we were chatting. It was just so nice to see all of them. I was giddy with happiness. Haha! Really, when it comes to my dogs, I go crazy. Thank you Antonette. You know how to make your little sister smile.
I had to try. ;)
I had no idea it was so much fun. Everything became extra interesting when you're looking from another perspective, literally. It was a well-spent afternoon, really. It can be a new hobby mayhaps but nah, I have to concede I do better painting pictures through words.
But yes, it was really, really fun. Haha! It's like having a new box of big Crayolas.
I had no idea it was so much fun. Everything became extra interesting when you're looking from another perspective, literally. It was a well-spent afternoon, really. It can be a new hobby mayhaps but nah, I have to concede I do better painting pictures through words.
But yes, it was really, really fun. Haha! It's like having a new box of big Crayolas.
New Beginnings and 100th Day
Today's the first day for my new job. Here's to a new environment, new people to see everyday, and new opportunity to become better. Here's to positivity, here's to happiness. And here's to completing 100 days (or more) of this challenge!
Today's the first day for my new job. Here's to a new environment, new people to see everyday, and new opportunity to become better. Here's to positivity, here's to happiness. And here's to completing 100 days (or more) of this challenge!
Realizations after a hundred days:
Note: There may have been one or two instances where I cheated. Meaning, if a day went by that nothing just seemed smile-worthy, I skipped that day. So did I fail? :)
- I need more people in my life. It's very glaring. Majority of the stuff here constitutes of inanimate things. O.o
- I live a very monotonous life. O.o I am like my grandmother.
- There's consistency with the things/people that make me happy.
- I am very easy to please. (And this is to be expected from a girl whose day is made when she gets to eat chicken balls dipped in vinegar and garlic. *saliva*)
- There are days when a single picture does not suffice to paint the day's sunshine. It is yet another reaffirmation that happiness knocks at the door a lot of times, it's only up to us to welcome it or not.
- A lot of these items came from the internet. Oh em gee! O.o Now that is sad.
- There are times I get sad because happiness can be elusive a lot of times. That or I just choose to turn off the good vibe buttons.
- Personally, it is a challenge to pursue happiness. What makes it a challenge is that I stopped recognizing the things that should make me happy and that I had to do this to realize these things and values again. For that, thank you very much to the happy people who came up with this challenge!
Note: There may have been one or two instances where I cheated. Meaning, if a day went by that nothing just seemed smile-worthy, I skipped that day. So did I fail? :)